AUSTIN, Apr 29 (AP) A Texas man walked into a neighborhood with a rifle and began shooting at his neighbors, killing an eight-year-old boy and four others inside the home. were trying to sleep, officials said on Saturday. San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers said authorities are searching for the 39-year-old suspect after an overnight shooting in the city of Cleveland, about 45 miles (72 kilometers) north of Houston. He said the suspect, whom he could not identify, used an AR-style rifle in the shooting.
Capers said there were 10 people in the home and no one was injured. He said two of the victims, believed to be from Honduras, were found lying inside carrying two children.
ALSO READ: Mass shooting in Washington DC, US, 8 injured in 2 incidents, suspect at large
“The Honduran women who were lying on top of these children were doing so for the safety of the child,” Capers said. “The confrontation occurred after family members went up to the fence and asked the suspect to stop firing,” Capers said.
According to Capers, the suspect responded by telling them that it was his property, and a man in the house found video of the suspect walking up to the front door with a rifle.
Also read: Four killed, 28 injured in shooting during birthday party in America
Among the dead are three women and one man. Their names were not released. Capers said the victims ranged in age from 8 to 40.
According to Capers, officers have visited the suspect’s home before. “The deputy has come and talked with him about shooting his gun in the yard,” he said.
Capers said some people in the house had already moved from Houston earlier this week, but he did not know whether they plan to stay there.