Francisco Oropesa’s partner among ‘several’ arrested in Texas shooting after suspected gunman captured

Suspected shooter was found hiding under laundry in a closet in a town near Cleveland, TX

Multiple people have been arrested in connection to a mass shooting that left five people dead in Cleveland, Texas, including the partner of the suspected gunman Francisco Oropesa.

The San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office said on Wednesday that “several arrests” were made after law enforcement captured Mr Oropesa at the end of a four-day manhunt the night before.

One of those taken into custody was Mr Oropesa’s partner, Divimara Lamar Nava, according to the Associated Press. 

Ms Nava reportedly denied any knowledge of Mr Oropesa’s whereabouts but authorities believe she may have hidden him at the home where he was arrested.

Chief Deputy Timothy Kean said fewer than five people were arrested but he couldn’t go into detail about the specific number during a press conference.

Mr Kean added that “others are hinging on what’s going on right now.”

The additional arrests come just hours after law enforcement officers announced they captured Mr Oropesa while he was hiding under a pile of laundry in a closet at a home in Cut and Shoot, Texas - a town outside of Conroe and near Cleveland.

More than 200 members of law enforcement including those in the Houston FBI and San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office, were engaged on a four-day manhunt looking for Mr Oropesa.

An $80,000 reward was offered for information and tips leading to Mr Oropesa’s arrest.

According to authorities, an anonymous tip is what led them to him.

Mr Oropesa is accused of opening fire in his neighbour’s home after being asked to stop shooting his gun in his yard as it was keeping a baby awake.

Five people, including a nine-year-old boy, were killed.

Police are still waiting to learn whether the weapon used in the shooting was the one recovered.

“As of now, we may have the weapon, but we have to wait for ballistics (testing),” Mr Kean said.