Man arrested for allegedly killing 80 animals during shooting spree in Monterey Co.: authorities

PRUNEDALE, Calif. -- Authorities in Monterey County executed a search warrant at the residence of a man suspected of shooting and killing dozens of animals Tuesday in Prunedale and allegedly found multiple other weapons at his home, the Sheriff's Office said.

The bail for suspect Vicente Joseph Arroyo, 39, has also been raised to $1 million.

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Arroyo is suspected of massacring animals including miniature horses, rabbits and birds, the Sheriff's Office said.

He allegedly fired multiple weapons and injured or killed approximately 81 animals over a three-hour period early Tuesday morning.

During the search of his home, investigators allegedly seized seven additional weapons in addition to multiple firearms. The search warrant yielded five long rifles, one shotgun and a handgun, the Sheriff's Office said. Two of the weapons were un-serialized "ghost guns." Ammunition was also seized.

At about 3:25 a.m. Tuesday, authorities began receiving multiple calls of numerous shots being fired. Deputies arrived at the area and could hear shots ringing out. A shelter-in-place was issued for residents in the area.

Various calibers of weapons were heard firing, but it was in an extremely dark area with thick vegetation, making it difficult for deputies to locate the source of the shots.

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A SWAT team was called in to assist, along with drones provided by the Seaside Fire Department and Gonzales Police Department.

A drone located a suspect and what appeared to be a crashed vehicle in the 16000 block of Avery Lane in a Vineyard north of Prunedale. SWAT team members approached the suspect in an armored vehicle and gave commands, ultimately taking Arroyo into custody.

Once the scene was secured, law enforcement discovered that Arroyo had allegedly took part in the death of 81 animals including miniature horses, goats, rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens, ducks and other types of birds, the Sheriff's Office said. Some animals survived but had to be euthanized due to the severity of their injuries.

Deputies allegedly found multiple long rifles, shotguns and handguns, including an illegal assault weapon, as well as numerous loaded and empty magazines at the scene.

Arroyo was booked into the Monterey County Jail on suspicion of willfully discharging a firearm with gross negligence, cruelty to animals, possession of an assault weapon, vandalism, criminal threats, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.