Salinas man shoots, kills at least 80 animals in Prunedale

PRUNEDALE – Vicente Arroyo, 39, from Salinas was booked into the Monterey County Jail for willful discharge of a firearm with gross negligence, cruelty to animals, illegal possession of an assault weapon, vandalism, criminal threats and for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

39-year-old Vicente Arroyo, from Salinas is arrested on multiple charges including cruelty to animals and illegal possession of an assault weapon. Arroyo reportedly started shooting dozens of animals in the early morning Tuesday. (Photo courtesy — Monterey County Sheriff’s Office)

On Tuesday, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office received multiple calls of numerous shots being fired near the 16000-block of Avery Lane in a vineyard in Prunedale. Deputies responded to the scene and could hear the shots when they arrived, but it was “extremely dark and covered in thick vegetation,” according to a press release, making it difficult for police to locate Arroyo.

Drones were provided by the Seaside Fire Department and Gonzales Police Department. With the help of the rising sun, police located a crashed vehicle near the vineyard and Arroyo.

Monterey County S.W.A.T. approached Arroyo in an armored vehicle and were able to take him into custody without further incident.

Once the scene was secured, police discovered that Arroyo had killed about 80 animals including miniature horses, goats, rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens, ducks and other types of birds. Some animals survived but they were taken by SPCA Monterey to be euthanized due to the severity of their injuries.

Multiple long rifles, shotguns, handguns and an illegal assault weapon was located at the scene along with numerous loaded and empty magazines. (Photo courtesy — Monterey County Sheriff’s Office)

Multiple long rifles, shotguns, handguns and an illegal assault weapon was located at the scene along with numerous loaded and empty magazines.

Arroyo’s bail has been set at $50,000.