A chilling home surveillance video captured the moment a group of depraved teenagers shot and killed a family’s beloved cat.
The footage was shot earlier 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 outside before the disturbing nighttime footage emerged.
In the video, five teenage boys surround the cat, named Vortex, who appears to be lounging on the street corner.
After a few moments, one of the sick boys takes out a long-barreled pistol and points it at Vortex, who was cherished for her sweet and friendly personality.
Then the teen fired his gun, hitting the cat.
After a few moments, one of the sick boys takes out a long-barreled pistol and points it at Vortex, who was cherished for her sweet and friendly personality.
Devastated Vortex owner Jesse Steele described the horrific scene.
He explained that the teens were not satisfied with merely killing the cat. They also wanted to film the dying animal.
“She was lying on the floor, and then there were five different kids with their phones around her making videos, like it was entertainment,” he said. KKG8.
About a minute later, the same deranged teen approaches the cat with his gun drawn.
With his hood over his head, the teen crouches down and fires at Vortex from point-blank range, killing the cat.
The video then shows the numb young people rushing away from the street corner and the dead animal.
But a few minutes later the horde of teenagers returns. They pick up the cat’s corpse and carry it to a neighbor’s yard, where the Steeles say it was later found.
Jesse Steele hopes the evil teens are brought to justice.
“And you’re proud of it?” Steele asked. “By making a video like ‘oh, I’m going to show people my trophy’ or ‘I’m going to rewatch it darn 24/7.'”
Salem police recently charged two 17-year-old teenagers in connection with the cat’s murder.
Both boys were charged with first-degree aggravated animal cruelty. One of them was also charged with tampering with evidence.
The teens pick up the cat’s corpse and carry it to a neighbor’s yard, where the Steeles say it was later found.
But the investigation still continues. The teen 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 people.
“People took advantage of her trust,” Steele said.