In a development that adds a layer of premeditated horror to an already devastating crime, court documents have revealed the Texas mass shooter, Francisco Oropesa, subjected his own cousin to a chilling "reaction test" moments before executing five neighbours, including a young child.
The incident, which has sent shockwaves through the small community of Cleveland, San Jacinto County, unfolded after neighbours had politely asked the 38-year-old Oropesa to stop firing his AR-15-style rifle in his yard due to the late hour and a baby trying to sleep.
A Sinister Prelude to Violence
According to an arrest affidavit, Oropesa's cousin, Domingo Castilla, was present at the shooter's home. In a terrifying preview of the carnage to come, Oropesa allegedly told Mr. Castilla he was going to shoot the neighbours and then proceeded to test his reaction.
"The defendant told his cousin that he was going to shoot the victims and shot his cousin's door to 'see what his reaction would be'," the affidavit stated. After this macabre test, Oropesa left the house armed with his rifle.
A Trail of Tragedy
What followed was a methodical and brutal attack on the nearby home. Oropesa is accused of shooting and killing five people: Sonia Argentina Guzman, 25; Diana Velazquez Alvarado, 21; Julisa Molina Rivera, 31; Jose Jonathan Casarez, 18; and Daniel Enrique Laso, 8.
The young boy, Daniel Enrique Laso, has been described as a vibrant child whose life was brutally cut short. The massacre has been described by authorities as an act of sheer brutality, with victims shot "almost execution-style" above the neck at point-blank range.
A Massive Manhunt and Capture
The shooting triggered a massive four-day manhunt involving over 250 law enforcement officers from local, state, and federal agencies. A reward for information leading to Oropesa's capture had swelled to $80,000 (£63,000).
He was eventually found hiding under a pile of laundry in a house just miles from the crime scene. The owner of the property where he was captured has since been charged with hindering the apprehension of a felon.
Oropesa now faces five counts of murder and remains held on a $5 million bond. The revelation of the "reaction test" is likely to play a significant role in the upcoming legal proceedings, painting a picture of a calculated and cold-hearted killer.
