The police in Texas believe that a man murdered five of his neighbours following an argument over his semi-automatic weapon practise.
The victims were all from Honduras, including a minor of eight years old.
The incident occurred on Friday night in the San Jacinto County town of Cleveland, north of Houston.
Two women were discovered dead on top of two surviving children, according to the local sheriff, Greg Capers.
Sheriff Capers told a local station, KTRK, that the suspects were actively attempting to care for the infants and keep them alive. He added that all the victims were shot “from the neck up, almost in an execution-style manner, and primarily in the head.”
Francisco Oropez, 38, is named as the suspect, who is believed to be Mexican. He remains on the run and is believed to be armed. Five counts of homicide have been levelled against him.
The suspect is believed to be hidden in a nearby forest, and police are using dogs and a drone to track him down.
The sheriff’s office reported receiving a “harassment” call at approximately 23:30 local time on Friday (04:30 GMT Saturday).
Investigators believe the victims implored Mr. Oropez, who was believed to have been intoxicated, to stop shooting because they were attempting to put an infant to sleep.
The man’s response, according to Sheriff Capers, was “I’ll shoot in my front yard and do whatever I want in my own home.”
After both parties returned to their homes, the gunman “reloaded his magazine, walked up his driveway, and opened fire inside the people’s home,” according to Sheriff Capers.
Ten individuals were present at the property at the time. The adults were pronounced dead at the site, while the child died in the hospital.
It is believed that the shooter used an AR-15 semiautomatic rifle.
Neighbour Veronica Pineda stated that she heard the gunfire, but that it was a common occurrence: “It’s typical, they’re always shooting in this neighbourhood. They frequently summon the police, but nothing is done about it.
“Yesterday, I heard gunfire, but I assumed it was an ordinary day. I never imagined this would occur.”
The incident occurred days after nine people were injured in western Texas during a shooting at a party for adolescents.
Four teenagers were shot and killed at a 16th birthday party in Alabama two weeks ago.
According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, firearm incidents are the leading cause of mortality among children and adolescents in the United States.
