Santa Ana Vigil for Slain Cats Turns Violent as Mob Targets Wrong House

A vigil in Santa Ana, California, intended to honor felines allegedly killed by a suspected serial cat killer, escalated into violence when attendees mistakenly targeted the wrong residence. The incident occurred one week after Santa Ana Police arrested ALEJANDRO OLIVEROS ACOSTA, 45, who is accused of murdering dozens of cats in the neighborhood.

Residents reported that the suspect used a needle to inject a substance into one cat, while another resident discovered their cat hanging from a tree. ALEJANDRO OLIVEROS ACOSTA allegedly confessed to the crimes and was released on bond last Thursday.

During Sunday night’s vigil, a mob surrounded a house across the street from Acosta’s home, mistakenly believing it belonged to his brother. The crowd demanded the resident come out, broke windows, and pepper-sprayed the homeowner as children watched from inside. The victim, who wished to remain anonymous, clarified that he is not Acosta’s brother but is related to his brother-in-law. He stated he had no contact with Acosta since his arrest.

Santa Ana Police took over an hour to respond to the scene. The crowd continued to chant outside the wrong home, accusing the residents of collaborating with the alleged cat killer, despite police declaring the gathering unlawful.

In a statement on X, the Santa Ana Police Department emphasized their commitment to public safety: “While we support the community’s right to peacefully assemble, we will not tolerate acts of violence, vandalism, or any threats to public safety. Any damage to life or property will have consequences, and those engaging in criminal behavior will be held accountable.”

The victim expressed fear and confusion, stating, “The peaceful protesting wasn’t so peaceful. They’re scaring kids here. It’s scaring the whole family. There are kids, seven kids in this house. Two little babies, one that is autistic. You know, breaking our fences… pepper spraying us for no reason. If you did what you did, I didn’t know anything about it. You know, when we found out, we were shocked.”

Over several weeks, Santa Ana Police received multiple reports of suspected cat abuse and killings in the neighborhood. Detectives arrested Acosta on Wednesday morning, charging him with felony animal cruelty. Neighbors believe their missing cats may have been victims of Acosta and plan to report them to police.

In response to Acosta’s release on bail, police noted that the right to bail is protected under the Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Bail amounts in California are determined by standardized schedules based on the nature of the alleged crime, with courts having the discretion to adjust or revoke bail during arraignment.

For more details, visit [FOX 11 Los Angeles](https://www.foxla.com) and [Santa Ana Police Department](https://www.santa-ana.org/pd).