Cold Spring Man Pleads Guilty to Mass Shooting, Sentenced to Life in Prison

Killing of 5 People, Including 9-Year-Old Boy, in Houston Suburbs

Francisco Oropeza, center, is escorted from the San Jacinto County courthouse by Sheriff Greg Capers, right, after a hearing May 18, 2023, in Coldspring, Texas.

COLDSPRING — A man accused of killing five people near Houston in 2023 after a neighbor complained that he was keeping a baby awake by firing a gun in his yard late at night pleaded guilty Wednesday to murder charges and will serve a life sentence without the possibility of parole, a prosecutor said.

Plea Deal Reached

Francisco Oropeza, a Mexican national, pleaded guilty to capital murder of multiple persons as part of a deal to avoid a possible death sentence, San Jacinto County District Attorney Todd Dillon told The Associated Press. Oropeza was offered the deal after prosecutors had lengthy discussions with family members of the victims, he said.

No Deportation Options Available

U.S. immigration officials said Oropeza had been deported four times between 2009 and 2016. But Dillon said he will spend the rest of his life behind bars in Texas.

“He is not eligible for deportation. He is not eligible for anything,” Dillon said. “He will stay in the custody of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice until he breathes his last breath.”

Emotional Testimony

Oropeza entered the pleas Wednesday after listening to emotional testimony from family members of the victims, Dillon said.

Background of the Case

Police say Oropeza stormed into his neighbor’s house on April 28, 2023, after being asked to stop firing his gun late at night. All five victims, including a 9-year-old boy, were from Honduras. The baby wasn’t harmed.

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 an intense search. He was eventually arrested near Conroe, roughly 20 miles from the crime scene.

Conclusion

The case is a tragic reminder of the devastating impact that gun violence can have on families and communities. The victims’ families will never be the same, and the community will never forget the senseless loss of life.

FAQs

Q: What was the motive behind the shooting?
A: The motive behind the shooting was reportedly the neighbor’s complaint that Oropeza was keeping a baby awake by firing a gun in his yard late at night.

Q: How many people were killed in the shooting?
A: Five people, including a 9-year-old boy, were killed in the shooting.

Q: What was the outcome of the case?
A: Oropeza pleaded guilty to capital murder of multiple persons and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Q: Is Oropeza eligible for deportation?
A: No, Oropeza is not eligible for deportation. He will remain in custody of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for the rest of his life.