It was an awful mistake.
A candlelight vigil held in Santa Ana, California, to honor cats allegedly killed by a suspected serial animal abuser turned chaotic when attendees mistakenly targeted the wrong residence. The emotional gathering occurred about a week after police arrested a man accused of killing numerous cats in the neighborhood.
Witnesses allege the suspect, identified as 45-year-old Alejandro Oliveros Acosta, used needles to inject unknown substances into cats and left some animals hanging from trees. Following his arrest on felony animal cruelty charges, Acosta was released on bail. His release sparked outrage among local residents, prompting a vigil that escalated into confrontation.
During the vigil, a crowd surrounded a house they believed belonged to Acosta’s brother. However, the man inside said he was not related to the suspect but was connected through his brother-in-law. Despite his statements and visible fear, some in the crowd broke windows, used pepper spray, and accused the residents of harboring the suspect, even as children inside the home watched in fear.
Santa Ana police arrived over an hour later, by which point the situation had intensified. Authorities declared the gathering an unlawful assembly but struggled to disperse the crowd. The police later released a statement condemning the violence, emphasizing that while peaceful protests are allowed, vandalism and threats to public safety would not be tolerated, and those responsible would be held accountable.
Residents in the affected home expressed distress, stating they had no knowledge of the suspect’s alleged actions and were traumatized by the vigil’s violent turn. Meanwhile, police continue to investigate the broader case, urging anyone whose pets are missing or harmed to come forward. They also clarified that Acosta’s release was in accordance with California’s legal system, which allows bail based on standardized schedules, with final decisions made by the courts.
