Texas authorities have arrested several people who may have helped a man suspected of killing five neighbours to evade a manhunt for four days, a local deputy sheriff said on Wednesday, a day after the suspect's capture.
The bloodshed occurred on Friday in Cleveland, Texas, after neighbours asked Francisco Oropesa to stop firing his semi-automatic rifle in his yard because it was keeping their baby awake.
Instead, the man reloaded, entered the home of the neighbours and killed five, including an eight-year-old boy, officials said.
San Jacinto County Chief Deputy Tim Kean at a news conference on Wednesday said several additional arrests have been made but did not go into detail on their involvement in the crime or the search for the suspect.
“Anybody that helped this maniac definitely has some issues, as far as I am concerned,” Mr Kean said.
Mr Oropesa, 38, was apprehended on Tuesday after a four-day manhunt conducted by local, state and federal officials. He was found in a wardrobe under some laundry in a home in nearby Montgomery County.
A $5 million bond will be set for the suspected gunman when he appears later on Wednesday before a judge in a local jail, where he is being held on five counts of murder, Mr Kean said.
The suspect was arrested in the town of Cut and Shoot, Texas, about 27km west of Cleveland, where the shootings took place. Both are about 80km north of Houston.
Officials acted on a tip from an unidentified person who was eligible for an $80,000 reward offered for information leading to the arrest, San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers said on Tuesday.
Most of the victims were shot in the head. All were from Honduras and among 10 people living at the address, but they were not all family members, Mr Capers said.
The suspect is a Mexican citizen who immigration officials said had been deported from the US four times since 2009.
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The biog
Favourite books: 'Ruth Bader Ginsburg: A Life' by Jane D. Mathews and ‘The Moment of Lift’ by Melinda Gates
Favourite travel destination: Greece, a blend of ancient history and captivating nature. It always has given me a sense of joy, endless possibilities, positive energy and wonderful people that make you feel at home.
Favourite pastime: travelling and experiencing different cultures across the globe.
Favourite quote: “In the future, there will be no female leaders. There will just be leaders” - Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook.
Favourite Movie: Mona Lisa Smile
Favourite Author: Kahlil Gibran
Favourite Artist: Meryl Streep
Greatest Royal Rumble results
John Cena pinned Triple H in a singles match
Cedric Alexander retained the WWE Cruiserweight title against Kalisto
Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt win the Raw Tag Team titles against Cesaro and Sheamus
Jeff Hardy retained the United States title against Jinder Mahal
Bludgeon Brothers retain the SmackDown Tag Team titles against the Usos
Seth Rollins retains the Intercontinental title against The Miz, Finn Balor and Samoa Joe
AJ Styles remains WWE World Heavyweight champion after he and Shinsuke Nakamura are both counted out
The Undertaker beats Rusev in a casket match
Brock Lesnar retains the WWE Universal title against Roman Reigns in a steel cage match
Braun Strowman won the 50-man Royal Rumble by eliminating Big Cass last
Key facilities
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- Premier League-standard football pitch
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Jigra
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
