California man allegedly killed 80 animals in three-hour shooting

A California gunman has been arrested for massacring over 80 farm animals in a three-hour shooting spree.

Vicente Joseph Arroyo, 39, of Salinas is accused of murdering “miniature horses, goats, rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens, ducks and other species of birds” in the Prunedale area of ​​California in the early hours of Tuesday morning, the Monterey County Sheriff's Office said.

The suspect was arrested in a vineyard from a “crashed vehicle” in an “extremely dark” area with overgrown bushes near the Lemus Farm on Avery Lane, according to The Los Angeles Times.

Arroyo lived on the property where the animals were located but was not employed there, said Commander Andres Rosas, spokesman for the Monterey County Sheriff's Office.

Police added that they heard gunshots at the scene when they arrived.

The animals that survived the attack were taken in by the nonprofit Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), but had to be euthanized due to the severity of their injuries, police said.

In a telephone interview with LA TimesRosas said: “I have been with the police for 24 years and have never experienced anything like this.

“When you're an animal lover, they become part of the family and it's terrible to have them taken away from you like this.”

Bail was initially set at $50,000, but investigators requested an increase to $1 million.

During a search of Arroyos' property, several firearms were found and Rosas estimated that “2,000 rounds of ammunition of various calibers” were seized. The LA Times reports.

Arroyo is being held in the Monterey County Jail and faces numerous charges, including animal cruelty and illegal possession of an assault weapon.

Beth Brookhouser, spokeswoman for the Monterey County SPCA, described the attack as “horrific and heartbreaking.”

“Unfortunately, all of the animals involved were found dead, with the exception of five severely injured parakeets that had to be humanely euthanized to end their suffering,” she added.

While the attacker's motive appears to be random, it was found that Arroyo used multiple weapons, including “multiple long rifles, shotguns and handguns, an illegal assault weapon, and numerous loaded and empty magazines.”

At that point, police temporarily set up a shelter within a five-mile radius while they searched for the shooter, as they had received several calls from concerned residents.

Police have not yet confirmed a date for the suspect's court hearing.