Five members of a family including an eight-year-old boy have been killed in a shooting in Texas after the family asked a man to stop firing rounds in his garden because they were trying to sleep, authorities said.

Authorities are searching for the 38-year-old suspect after the shooting in the town of Cleveland, around 45 miles north of Houston, San Jacinto County sheriff Greg Capers said.

The suspect, Francisco Oropeza, is a Mexican national who is believed to have fled the country, Mr Capers said.

An arrest warrant has been issued for him and a judge has assigned a $5m bond. He faces five counts of murder.

Mr Capers said the suspect used an AR-style rifle in the shooting.

There were 10 people inside the house and no one else was injured, Mr Capers said.

Two of the victims, who are all believed to be from Honduras, were found lying over two children inside.

“The Honduran ladies that were laying over these children were doing it in such an effort as to protect the child,” Mr Capers said.

He said the confrontation came after family members walked up to the fence and asked the suspect to stop shooting rounds.

The suspect responded by telling them it was his property, according to the sheriff, and one person in the house took a video of the suspect walking up to the front door with the rifle.

Three of the victims were women and one was a man. Their names have not been released.

Mr Capers said the victims were between the ages of eight and about 40 years old.

Read more:
Five killed in Kentucky bank shooting
Why Nashville school shooting could have been even worse

Authorities had spoken to suspect about shooting gun

Authorities had previously been to the suspect’s home, according to the sheriff.

“Deputies have come over and spoke with him about him shooting his gun in the yard,” Mr Capers said.