A vigil in Santa Ana, California, meant to pay tribute to cats allegedly killed by a suspected serial cat killer, took a dangerous turn when participants attempted to confront the man but ended up at the wrong house.
This gathering occurred a week after local authorities detained a man accused of murdering several cats in the area.
Residents reported that the suspected killer injected a substance into one of the cats, and one individual shared with FOX 11 Los Angeles that they discovered their cat hanging from a tree.
The individual in question, 45-year-old Alejandro Oliveros Acosta, reportedly admitted to his crimes to the police. He was released on bail the following Thursday.
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Alejandro Oliveros Acosta, 45, was arrested for felony animal cruelty after allegedly killing multiple neighborhood cats. (FOX 11)
During the vigil, a crowd gathered outside a home that they believed belonged to Acosta’s brother, demanding that he emerge.
As reported, the mob began to vandalize the house, breaking windows, and even using pepper spray on its occupant while children looked on from inside.
The victim, who chose to remain anonymous, clarified to FOX 11 that he is not related to Acosta but is connected to his brother-in-law. He mentioned that he had not encountered Acosta since his arrest.
Santa Ana police reportedly took over an hour to respond to the escalating situation, according to FOX 11.
The vigil for the alleged cat killings took a violent turn as the mob mistakenly targeted the wrong home. (FOX 11)
Fox News Digital contacted the Santa Ana Police Department for a response but received no reply.
FOX 11 reported that the crowd persisted in chanting outside the wrong residence, accusing its occupants of collaborating with the alleged cat killer, even after being declared an unlawful assembly by police.
“Last night, during a vigil related to this case, several individuals acted violently, vandalizing property and throwing items in the neighborhood. While we support the community’s right to protest peacefully, the Santa Ana Police Department will not tolerate violence, vandalism, or threats to public safety,” the police issued a statement on X.
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“Any harm to life or property will have repercussions, and those involved in criminal acts will be held accountable. We appreciate the community’s cooperation and patience as this case processes through the legal system,” the statement added.
One resident expressed fear over the mob’s actions, stating they were unaware of Acosta’s alleged crimes until the protest escalated.
The angry crowd resorted to throwing rocks, and the homeowner was even pepper-sprayed. (FOX 11)
“The peaceful protest turned chaotic. The threats to our children are terrifying. There are seven kids in this house, including two infants, one with autism. They broke our fences and pepper-sprayed us for no reason. I had no knowledge of what happened with Acosta; we were shocked when we found out,” the victim told FOX 11.
Over a few weeks, the Santa Ana Police Department received numerous alarming reports concerning the suspected abuse and killing of cats in the area.
The police indicated that these reports included allegations that a man had been luring cats to his property to harm or kill them.
Acosta was taken into custody on Wednesday morning and charged with felony animal cruelty.
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Alejandro Oliveros Acosta is accused of luring and killing numerous cats in a Santa Ana neighborhood. (Santa Ana Police Department)
Neighbors informed FOX 11 that they suspect their missing cats may also be victims of Acosta and plan to report these losses to the authorities.
Regarding Acosta’s bail, police explained, “the right to bail is protected under the Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution,” noting that individuals arrested in California can post bail according to established schedules based on the nature of the offense.
“These schedules set fixed bail amounts according to the alleged crime,” the police stated on X. “At the arraignment, the court can review and potentially modify bail conditions based on presented circumstances. Ultimately, any changes to bail are at the court’s discretion as prescribed by law.”
Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business, covering topics such as missing persons, homicides, national crime cases, illegal immigration, and more. Story tips can be sent to stepheny.price@fox.com
