The longtime partner of the man suspected of fatally shooting five people – including a 9-year-old and his mom – last week in a Texas home is in jail after law enforcement caught the alleged gunman in the closet of a house not far from the massacre site, ending a dayslong manhunt that spanned the US South and into Mexico.
Accused shooter Francisco Oropesa, a 38-year-old Mexican national, is being held on five counts of murder, with bond set at $5 million, the sheriff’s office said. He is expected to appear in court Wednesday to be read the charges, which could be upgraded to capital murder – a death penalty offense in Texas – a source with the San Jacinto County District Attorney’s Office told CNN.
Cleveland, Texas, Mass shooting suspect Francisco Oropesa FBI Houston Tweet: Here are the newest images of Francisco Oropesa and a prominent tattoo on his left forearm. Going forward, the subject’s last name will be spelled “Oropesa” to better reflect his identity in law enforcement systems. This remains a fluid investigation. #ClevelandTXShooting
Texas massacre suspect discovered hiding in a closet and taken into custody, ending dayslong manhunt, officials say
Oropesa’s partner, Divimara Lamar Nava, faces a charge of hindering apprehension or prosecution of a known felon, a third-degree felony, online sheriff’s records show. She was arrested in the same place in Montgomery County where Oropesa was found Tuesday evening stowed under a pile of laundry, according to case records and San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers.
Law enforcement had tracked Nava to the home associated with a relative of Oropesa, a law enforcement source told CNN, about a 20-minute drive west of where the shooting unfolded in Cleveland, northwest of Houston. It’s not clear if she has an attorney or when her court appearance will be.
Authorities also are waiting to learn whether the mass shooting weapon has been recovered. “As of now, we may have the weapon, but we have to wait for ballistics (testing),” Kean said at a news conference.
Source: cnn.com
