Share and Follow

A man accused of killing five neighbors in Texas after some of them complained that gunfire was keeping a baby awake was indicted Friday for capital murder of multiple persons, which allows prosecutors to seek the death penalty.

Prosecutors said they do not yet know whether they will seek the death penalty against Francisco Oropeza, 38, who is a Mexican national and had been deported multiple times in the years prior to the April attack outside Houston. He was already charged in May with five counts of murder.

“I think it’s a little too early for us to make that call,” San Jacinto County District Attorney Todd Dillon said.

RELATED: Texas Man Accused of Killing Neighbors over Gun Dispute Plotted Escape to Mexico, Prosecutors Say

Oropeza is scheduled to appear in court in August. Anthony Osso, his attorney, said his client will plead not guilty.

“We expected the capital indictment so there’s no surprise,” Osso said. “We have been contacted by many people in support of Mr. Oropeza’s character. He was extremely well regarded in this neighborhood and often helped others with all types of tasks around their homes. He was a go-to kind of guy for help.”

Police say Oropeza stormed into his neighbor’s house on April 28 after being asked by his neighbors to stop firing his AR-style rifle because a baby was trying to sleep. All five victims were from Honduras, including a 9-year-old boy. One neighbor who lived down the street from said that a few months before the shooting, Oropeza threatened to kill his dog after it got loose and chased the pit bull in his truck.

The shooting happened in the rural town of Cleveland, about 45 miles north of Houston. Police say Oropeza fled the neighborhood after the shooting, setting off a widening manhunt that came up empty for days despite more than 250 officers, drones and scent-tracking dogs searching and $80,000 in reward money being offered.

Oropeza was eventually arrested near Conroe, roughly 20 miles from the home where the shooting took place.

Oropeza’s domestic partner and one of his friends have also been charged with hindering the apprehension or prosecution of a known felon.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like

Judge Criticizes Trump Administration for Overstepping Congressional Boundaries

Left: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a press conference in the…

New Jersey Man, Once Celebrated as Hero for Fire Rescue Attempt, Faces Charges for Allegedly Starting Fatal Blaze

A 70-year-old man from New Jersey has been arrested and charged in…

Authorities Report Teen Suspected in Tragic Triple Homicide of Former Partner’s Family

Insets, left to right: Jessica Rodriguez, her 9-year-old son and 13-year-old daughter…

Shocking Arrest: Man on Pre-Trial Release Caught in Drug Trafficking Sting

Staff Report GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Tamaris Lorenzo Roberson, 25, found himself back…

Parents Alert Authorities as Son Becomes Suspect in Tragic Case Involving Two Girls

Top inset: Vincent Battiloro (YouTube/@VinnieBat118). Bottom insets, from left: Maria Niotis and…

Lawsuit Claims ChatGPT Played a Role in Tragic Connecticut Murder-Suicide

A tragic case emerging from Connecticut has led to a lawsuit alleging…

Shocking Incident: 84-Year-Old Man Allegedly Shoots Son Over Family Dispute

Background: A section of Hawksbill Street Northwest in Palm Bay, Florida (Google…

Police Reveal Woman Allegedly Faked Care for Deceased Person Over Several Months

Background: News footage of the Bebouts” home in Canton Township, Pa. (WTAE).…