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Francisco Oropeza arrest: Neighbor claims gunman shot her dog twice, afraid to tell cops

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Published  May 3, 2023 6:56pm CDT
Texas
FOX 26 Houston

Manhunt ends: Gunman Francisco Oropeza accused of killing 5 held on $7.5 million bond

Francisco Oropeza, 38, is now being held in San Jacinto County, charged with 5 counts of murder. His bond was set at a total of $7.5 million. Authorities say they’re now looking to see if his charges could be upgraded to capital murder.

CLEVELAND, Texas - The killer accused of shooting five people in Cleveland, TX was captured by border agents Tuesday night in Montgomery County and neighbors are relieved he's finally off the streets. 

MORE: Francisco Oropeza accused of killing 5 neighbors charged with felony murder

Francisco Oropeza, 38, is currently being held in San Jacinto County Jail charged with five counts of murder. His bond has been set at a total of $7.5 million.

This comes after an extensive, four-day manhunt involving more than 200 law enforcement officers.

Manhunt ends: Community relieved mass shooting gunman captured

Residents in the Conroe area, where Francisco Oropeza, 38, was captured following a 4-day manhunt, are breathing a sigh of relief but are still in shock after the gunman shot and killed five of his neighbors in San Jacinto County.

Authorities say Oropeza's charges could possibly be upgraded to capital murder. The case will be turned over to a grand jury for an indictment.

THE ARREST: Cut and Shoot is where Texas mass shooting suspect Francisco Oropesa was arrested

A woman who lives across the street from Oropeza and the victims, claims the 38-year-old had a pattern of aggressive behavior. She declined to show her face on camera or reveal her name out of fear but said she was relieved he was off the streets.

"I feel like I can put my guard down a little bit more and feel a little bit more comfortable with going out to take my kids to school, picking them up," she said. "I feel a little safer. I felt like every day if I stepped outside my house, it was a risk that I was taking.

New details in arrest of man accused of killing 5 neighbors in Texas

The San Jacinto County Sheriff's Office says more arrests have been made following the capture of a man accused of killing five of his neighbors.

"He shot my dog twice," she continued. "It was this year. He did. He was drunk both times. He told his wife and his wife told us. We’re not problematic so we’re not going to go and confront him." 

Shortly after 6 p.m. Tuesday, border patrol agents found Oropeza hiding under a pile of laundry at a home in Montgomery County. Investigators believe the home belonged to one of his relatives, but have not officially confirmed any names or relationships.

PREVIOUS: Gunman found hiding in closet, was underneath some laundry

On Wednesday morning, Oropeza was magistrated and placed on suicide watch.  

"Part of my arraignment, I asked if he knew where he was and what his charge was," said Randy Ellisor, San Jacinto County Pct. 3 Justice of the Peace. "He looked at me through a Spanish translator and indicated he knew where he was at and he knew what the charge was. And he was draped in a green towel, due to suicide watch."

SUGGESTED: Breakdown of Francisco Oropeza's previous run-ins with the law

Records show Oropeza’s domestic partner, Divimara Lamar Nava, 53, was also arrested and charged with a third-degree felony. She's accused of helping her husband escape, or 'hinder the apprehension or prosecution of a known felon.'

San Jacinto County First DA Rob Freyer talks Francisco Oropesa capture

We're learning more information on the capture of Francisco Oropesa, 38, in the Cleveland area. This after a 4-day-long search to find the gunman accused of killing five of his neighbors in San Jacinto County.

Another man at the scene named Domingo Castilla, was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana, but investigators believe he played a bigger role.

"He is a person of interest in terms of the officers investigating his role in possibly assisting Mr. Oropeza in eluding authorities in the last five days," said Rob Freyer, the first assistant district attorney in San Jacinto County.