Brevard County, Fla. — A Brevard County man has been arrested after authorities say he shot and killed a cat with a high-powered BB gun, according to the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies arrested Lucas Steadman in connection with the incident, which investigators say occurred on May 11, 2026. Authorities allege Steadman shot a cat in the eye with a BB gun, causing the animal’s death.
In a statement and video released by the sheriff’s office, officials said the cat lived at the same residence as the suspect.
Investigators believe the incident may have stemmed from an ongoing issue involving animals at the property, though officials emphasized the shooting was intentional.
Sheriff Wayne Ivey confirmed that Steadman was taken into custody by the agency’s Fugitive Unit and booked into the Brevard County Jail. His bond was set at $50,000.
“If you harm an animal in Brevard County, you’re going straight to jail,” Ivey said in a video statement posted by the sheriff’s office.
Authorities also used the case to highlight their ongoing efforts to investigate animal cruelty, urging the public to report suspected abuse. The sheriff’s office noted that “not all victims can dial 911.”
Steadman faces a charge of aggravated animal cruelty. Court proceedings are pending.
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