A neighborhood in Stanislaus County is on edge after deputies said a pet cat was shot and killed, and the person believed responsible is still on the loose.
Investigators say the incident happened on the night of February 8, 2026, at the Riverview Mobile Home Park on Jantzen Road.
Some early reports described the location as just outside Hughson, while later coverage clarified the park is in Modesto.
What makes this case feel even more chilling is what neighbors say was caught on camera.
The Moment The Camera Cuts Out
Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Michael Carranza described surveillance footage from a nearby home that appears to show a cat moving around in a driveway.
Then the video stops.
When it resumes, Carranza said the cat appears to be motionless, and a male suspect is seen walking up, picking up the cat, placing the body into a bag, and leaving.
For the cat’s family, the footage is not just upsetting.
It also means they did not even get the closure of bringing their pet home.
One owner told KCRA they could not bury their cat because the cat was taken away.
Reports Of More Cats, But Detectives Are Still Confirming
Deputies have said the case may involve more than one cat.
In a report that first brought wider attention to the incident, Sgt. Carranza noted it was reported that three cats may have been involved, though detectives had not confirmed that detail at the time.
KCRA reported that authorities were investigating at least three cats killed in the same neighborhood area, with one confirmed as being shot on February 8.
Residents also told that two additional cats were found dead on a nearby property, though it was not clear how those cats died.
SFGATE similarly reported that two other cats were found dead, with the exact cause not clearly established in public reporting.
That uncertainty is part of what is fueling fear. People are not just grieving.
They are trying to understand whether this is one incident, or something bigger.
Suspect Description And Why Neighbors Are Scared
The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office has described the suspect as a man and said he was captured on surveillance video.
The suspect was believed to be wearing a face covering, shorts, black socks, and black flip flops.
Authorities also shared a description that included a black jacket and light colored shorts.
Residents said they are frightened, not only for their pets but for their community.
One owner said neighbors were scared because children walk home from school in the area and people walk dogs at night.
The sheriff’s office has confirmed the General Crimes Unit is investigating and reviewing surveillance and witness accounts.
For cat lovers reading this, the hardest part is imagining how ordinary that night looked at first. A cat in a driveway. A quiet neighborhood.
Then a sudden gunshot, and a missing pet that never comes home.
If you live in the area and saw anything suspicious around the Riverview Mobile Home Park on Jantzen Road on the night of February 8, 2026, contact the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office or your local law enforcement and reference the incident.
And if you are a pet parent anywhere, this story is a brutal reminder to keep outdoor time supervised whenever possible, especially at night.
The people who do this count on darkness and silence.
Right now, deputies say they are still looking for answers. And a neighborhood is still waiting for justice.