On April 28, 2023, in Cleveland, Texas, nine-year-old Daniel Enrique Laso-Guzman was tragically killed alongside his mother, Sonia Argentina Guzman, and three other individuals. The incident began when Daniel's father, Wilson Garcia, approached their neighbor, Francisco Oropesa, to request that he cease firing his gun in his yard, as the noise was disturbing their infant's sleep.
Oropesa, reportedly intoxicated at the time, refused the request, leading Garcia to contact law enforcement multiple times over a span of 10 to 20 minutes. Before officers arrived, Oropesa entered the Garcia residence armed with an AR-15-style rifle and opened fire, resulting in the deaths of five individuals, including Daniel.
Daniel, a student at Northside Elementary School, was known for his love of soccer and his contagious smile. In the aftermath of the tragedy, his classmates created a memorial in his honor, featuring flowers, stuffed animals, and a signed soccer ball. The community was deeply affected by the loss, holding vigils to remember Daniel and the other victims.
Following a four-day manhunt, Francisco Oropesa was apprehended on May 2, 2023, in Cut and Shoot, Texas. He was found hiding in a closet under a pile of laundry. Oropesa, an undocumented immigrant from Mexico, had been deported multiple times prior to the incident. His partner, Divimara Lamar Nava, was also arrested and charged with hindering the apprehension of a fugitive, as she allegedly assisted Oropesa in evading capture.
The tragic deaths of Daniel and the other victims have sparked discussions about gun laws and community safety, as well as the challenges faced by law enforcement in preventing such incidents. The community continues to mourn the loss of these individuals, seeking justice and healing in the wake of the tragedy.
