Authorities in Monterey County have arrested a suspect following a shooting in Prunedale that led to the deaths of approximately 100 farm animals. The incident unfolded in the early hours of the morning, prompting a swift law enforcement response and the issuance of a shelter-in-place order for local residents.
Shots fired for hours
According to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, they began receiving reports of multiple gunshots at around 3:25 a.m. in the Avery Lane area, a rural road off Paradise Road. When deputies arrived on the scene, they could still hear gunfire echoing through the heavily wooded area. Law enforcement quickly issued a shelter-in-place order for the surrounding community, which remained in effect until the gunman was located and arrested. Only one suspect was taken into custody.
The armed suspect allegedly fired hundreds of rounds
Officials say the suspect, identified as 39-year-old Vicente Joseph Arroyo of Salinas, allegedly fired hundreds of rounds over the course of three hours, using multiple firearms. “Various calibres of weapons could be heard being fired in an area that was extremely dark and covered in thick vegetation. This made it difficult for deputies to immediately locate the person or persons responsible for firing the weapons,” a sheriff’s office spokesperson said. Arroyo was eventually located by deputies using a drone, which found him in a crashed vehicle near 16000 Avery Lane, in the middle of a vineyard.
Dozens of animals killed
Tragically, the shooting resulted in the deaths of nearly 100 farm animals, including chickens, rabbits, guinea pigs, goats, ducks, and even a miniature horse. Some of the surviving animals were transported to SPCA Monterey County, but due to the severity of their injuries, they were later euthanized.
Firearms were recovered at the scene
At the scene, deputies recovered multiple long rifles, shotguns, handguns, and an illegal assault weapon, along with several loaded and empty magazines. Arroyo now faces a series of charges, including willful discharge of a firearm with gross negligence, cruelty to animals, illegal possession of an assault weapon, vandalism, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Fortunately, no people were injured during the incident.
Arroyo is currently being held with bail set at $50,000, and the investigation remains ongoing. However, authorities assured the public that there is no further threat to the community.