Crime & Safety
Gunman On Rampage Kills 81 Farm Animals
Miniature horses, goats, rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens, ducks and other types of birds were all shot indiscriminately by the man.
MONTEREY COUNTY — A gunman went on a three hour rampage during which he killed or injured 81 birds and animals in Monterey County on Tuesday. A SWAT team and two drones were deployed, a shelter in place order was issued and, as the suspect was arrested, law enforcement officers seized an arsenal of weapons that included rifles, shotguns, handguns, and an assault weapon.
The wounded animals and birds were so badly injured that they had to be euthanized.
Vicente Joseph Arroyo, 39, of Prunedale, was booked into the Monterey County Jail. He is being held on $1 million bail.
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office was notified of gunfire just before 3:30 a.m. The first deputies to arrive could hear shots continuing to be fired in the area, prompting the shelter in place order.
With thick brush and extremely dark conditions, deputies had trouble locating the gunman. A SWAT team was called in, along with drones which were provided by the Seaside Fire Department and Gonzales Police Department.
A drone located the suspect in a vineyard north of Prunedale. "Monterey County S.W.A.T. team members approached the suspect in an armored vehicle and began giving commands," according to the sheriff's office. "They were able to take the suspect into custody without further incident."
A search warrant was issued for the suspect's home. Additional weapons and ammunition were seized.
All told, 15 weapons and approximately 2,000 rounds of ammunition were confiscated.
Arroyo was being held on suspicion of Willful Discharge of a Firearm with Gross Negligence; Cruelty to Animals; Illegal Possession of Assault Weapon; Vandalism; Criminal Threats; and Felon In Possession of a Firearm.
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