Texas, United States

In Cleveland, United States, a drunk man allegedly killed five people, including an eight-year-old child in a shooting incident at a southeast Texas home. As per the authorities, the suspect, who used an AR-15-style assault rifle to commit the crime, is still at large.

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The incident, as per ABC News, occurred shortly after 11:31 pm local time, Friday (GMT 4:31 am, Saturday). Authorities from the San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office report that they received a call about a harassment incident in Cleveland, Texas — around 55 miles (89 Kilometres) north of Houston.

When the police reached the scene, they found several victims shot “almost execution style”.

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Speaking to ABC News’ Houston station KTRK, Sheriff Greg Capers of the San Jacinto County Sheriff’s Office revealed that all the victims were shot “from the neck up almost execution style, basically in the head.”

Police believe the motive was a disagreement between the victims and the suspect, who had a habit of shooting his AR-15-style rifle in his front yard.

Capers told KTRK that the victims had asked the shooter to keep quiet as they had a sleeping baby.

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“My understanding is that the victims, they came over to the fence and said ‘Hey could [you not do your] shooting out in the yard? We have a young baby that’s trying to go to sleep,’ and he had been drinking and he says ‘I’ll do what I want to in my front yard’,” said Capers.

At the time of the shooting, there were at least 10 people in the home. The youngest victim of the tragic shooting is an eight-year-old child.

Also among the victims are two females who, as per the ABC News report — in an apparent attempt to save them — were found lying on top of the two surviving children.

The suspect, as per authorities, is a Mexican male, armed with an AR-15-style rifle. He is believed to be in an intoxicated state. Police are looking for a Hispanic male with short black hair, approximately 5’8" tall. The suspect was reportedly last seen wearing blue jeans with a black shirt and work boots.

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All of his victims are between the ages of eight and 40 years. Four victims were declared dead at the scene while another four died after being taken to the hospital.

Police haven’t revealed the identities of the victims or their relationship to the suspect, but said they are from Honduras. 

“We are getting closer to him every minute of every hour, but we know who he is,” said Capers, adding, “he [the suspect] is from Mexico. The victims themselves were from Honduras.”

Authorities have advised locals to “stay inside, stay clear” of the crime scene until the investigation has concluded.

(With inputs from agencies)

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