A man killed 80 animals while families were sleeping.

In the quiet town of Prunedale, California, families were fast asleep in the early hours of Tuesday when chaos erupted. A man, later identified as Vicente Joseph Arroyo, had seemingly gone on a rampage, shooting at least 80 farm animals on various properties. The sound of gunshots echoed through the night, causing panic and fear among the residents.

The Monterey County Sheriff's Office received multiple reports of gunfire just before 3:30am. As they arrived on the scene, they could hear the sound of shots coming from a nearby vineyard. Realizing the danger, they immediately issued a shelter-in-place for a five-mile radius while they searched for the shooter.

According to the sheriff's office, Arroyo, 39, had been firing multiple weapons for over three hours. The area was shrouded in darkness and thick vegetation, making it difficult for law enforcement to locate the source of the shots. It wasn't until the sun began to rise and they utilized a drone that they discovered a crashed vehicle on Avery Lane with a person inside.

The Monterey County SWAT team swiftly took action, approaching the vehicle in an armored tank and apprehending Arroyo without incident. It was then that they made a shocking discovery - Arroyo had allegedly killed approximately 80 animals, including miniature horses, goats, rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens, ducks, and other birds.

Some of the animals were miraculously rescued, but sadly, others had to be euthanized due to their injuries. The sheriff's office also recovered multiple weapons, including long rifles, handguns, shotguns, and an illegal assault firearm. Some of the weapons were loaded with ammunition.

Commander Andres Rosas of the Monterey County Sheriff's Office expressed his shock and horror at the scene, stating, "It is a horrible scene. We are very fortunate that no human lives were lost." Arroyo, a resident of Salinas, was taken into custody and charged with a number of offenses, including cruelty to animals, illegal possession of an assault weapon, and criminal threats.

It is believed that Arroyo did not specifically target humans, as there were no reports of any injuries among the residents. However, his actions have left a devastating impact on the community, and many are struggling to make sense of this senseless act. As Rosas stated, "I've unfortunately never seen anything like this when it comes to animal life lost." Arroyo is currently being held at Monterey County Jail with a bail set at $50,000.

This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible gun ownership and the devastating consequences of reckless behavior. The residents of Prunedale will surely never forget this horrifying night, and the innocent lives lost will be remembered by all.

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