(Luis Cornelio, Headline USA) Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas declined to say whether a Texas man accused of murdering five of his neighbors, including an 8-year-old boy, execution style is in the country illegally.
Francisco Oropeza, a 38-year-old Mexican national, gunned down his neighbors after he was asked to stop shooting his rifle outside his property to avoid waking a sleeping baby. The shooting and killing of the five occurred in the early morning hours of April 29, the San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office said on a Facebook post.
In an interview with NBC News’ Meet the Press, Mayorkas was asked by Chuck Todd, “There are some questions about his citizenship. He supposedly had a, I guessed they refer to it as a ‘consulate card’ from Mexico, meaning he was here legally but perhaps he overstayed.”
“Chuck, I won’t comment on it because it is an active case,” Mayorkas said. “The tragedy that occurred is, you described it correctly, just absolutely horrific.”
The Mexican suspect was allegedly firing shots from a rifle-style weapon outside his home in Houston. The neighbors, who are reportedly from Honduras, asked the suspect to stop because of a sleeping baby. Oropeza, who was allegedly under the influence of alcohol, went inside the neighbors’ home and killed the five individuals in an executive style.
“Everybody has been shot from the neck up almost execution style,” a sheriff told local reporters Sunday.
The youngest victim was an 8-year-old boy. Five residents, including three children, survived the massacre, the New York Post reported.
Oropeza, who was initially cornered by law enforcement in a wooden area, remains at large.
“An extensive manhunt for Oropeza has not yielded his location,” the sheriff’s office said Saturday. “If you have any tips or information, please call our office immediately at 936-953-467. You can remain anonymous. Oropeza is considered armed and dangerous, do not approach or attempt to apprehend. Contact local authorities immediately.”
