| Submit your comments on this article | |
| -Lurid Crime Tales- | |
| California man 'shoots dead over EIGHTY animals' in unexplained bloodbath | |
| 2024-09-05 | |
| [Daily Mail, where America gets its news] A man is accused of killing more than 80 farm animals during a disturbing shooting in rural California. Salinas resident Vicente Joseph Arroyo, 39, allegedly committed the horrifying slaughter early on Tuesday morning over the course of three hours, before being found in a crashed car on the property by police. His victims ranged in species from ponies and goats to guinea pigs, cops said - adding how a host of chickens, birds, rabbits and ducks, were killed as well. A miniature horse was also murdered, as the bloodbath that caused residents nearby to take shelter still remains unexplained. It did, however, end with the suspect's arrest, and multiple long rifles, shotguns and handguns being found at the scene. An illegal assault weapon was also seized from the weapons cache, as it was revealed some animals survived but were later euthanized. Police in Prunedale issued a statement detailing Arroyo's arrest. 'The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a suspect after he began to randomly fire multiple weapons and killed approximately 80 animals during an approximate 3-hour period,' the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office said. 'On Tuesday September 3rd at about 3:25am, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office began receiving multiple calls of numerous shots being fired. 'Deputies responded to the scene and upon arrival could hear shots continuing to be fired in the area. A shelter in place order was put into effect.' The bulletin went on to reveal how 'various calibers of weapons could be heard being fired' during the event, which began in the dead of night as families slept. The firing of hundreds of rounds from the weapons cache followed 'in an area that was extremely dark and covered in thick vegetation,' cops said. 'This made it difficult for deputies to immediately locate the person or persons responsible for firing the weapons.' Because of this, assistance was requested from a Monterey County SWAT team, and a drone was deployed by the Seaside Fire Department and Gonzales Police Department, the sheriff's office said. With use of the drone, the suspect and his crashed vehicle were observed within the property - a vineyard set along the 16000 block of Avery Lane, cops said. The SWAT team proceeded to approach the suspect in an armored vehicle, statement said, and photos released by the sheriff's office showed Arroyo getting on his knees and surrendering. Some animals survived but were taken by SPCA to be euthanized, cops revealed - citing the 'severity of their injuries.' Whom the animals belonged to still remains unknown - as does Arroyo's motive and ties to the property in question. Deputies also said that Arroyo - whose mugshot has yet to be released - may have recently moved to the rural area. The local DA, meanwhile, said that Arroyo, depending on the exact amount of animals killed, could face 10 years in prison. Officials will not know the number until the case is submitted. In the interim, Arroyo remains incarcerated on $50,000 bail. He has been charged with willful discharge of a firearm with gross negligence, cruelty to animals, illegal possession of an assault weapon, vandalism, criminal threats and felon in possession of a firearm.
Rosas said that both animal owners do not want to be identified and do not want to speak with the media at this time. The property is a private piece of land that has no name and is not a farm, Rosas said, adding that the land had several animal pens constructed in which the animals lived. Rosas told the Chronicle the suspect was not employed at the property. Arroyo’s bail was raised from $50,000 to $1 million Wednesday afternoon after authorities the search of his home turned up illegal weapons. | |
| Posted by:Skidmark |
| #1 Wheres PETA? |
| Posted by: BrerRabbit 2024-09-05 14:02 |