Chilling home surveillance video captured the moment a group of depraved teenagers shot and killed a family’s beloved cat.
The footage was recorded early last month in a quiet neighborhood in Salem, Oregon, where the cat’s owners, the Steeles, thought everything was safe.
The Steeles said they “didn’t think twice” about letting their animals out, before the disturbing nighttime images appeared.
In the video, five teenagers surround the cat, named Vortex, who appears to be resting on the street corner.
After a few moments, one of the sick children pulls out a long-barreled gun and points it at Vortex, who was liked for her sweet and friendly personality.
The teen then fired his gun and hit the cat.
After a few moments, one of the sick children pulls out a long-barreled gun and points it at Vortex, who was liked for her sweet and friendly personality.
Devastated Vortex owner Jesse Steele described the horrific scene.
He explained that the teenagers were not content to simply kill the cat. They also wanted to film the dying animal.
“She was lying on the ground, and then there were like five different kids that were around her with their phones recording videos, like it was entertainment,” he said. KGW8.
About a minute later, the same deranged teen approaches the cat with gun in hand.
With his hood over his head, the teen crouches down and shoots Vortex at point-blank range, killing the cat.
The video then shows the callous young men quickly walking away from the corner and the dead animal.
But a few minutes later, the horde of teenagers returns. They pick up the cat’s corpse and take it to a neighbor’s yard, where the Steeles say they later found it.
Jesse Steele hopes the vicious teens are brought to justice.
—And you are proud of it? Steele asked. “Recording a video like, ‘Oh, I’m going to show people my trophy,’ or ‘I’m going to watch it again 24/7.'”
The Salem Police Department recently charged two 17-year-old teenagers in connection with the cat murder.
Both children were charged with first-degree aggravated animal abuse. One of them was also accused of tampering with evidence.
The teens pick up the cat’s corpse and take it to a neighbor’s yard, where the Steeles say they later found it.
But the investigation is still ongoing. The teenager who shot the cat has not been identified and the gun he used has not been recovered.
Vortex is remembered as a gentle and unsuspecting cat. She trusted humans.
“People took advantage of his trust,” Steele said.