LONG BEACH, Wash. — After outcry from community members, Washington authorities are investigating and asking for information about a man in a Jeep who intentionally ran over and killed 25 seagulls on Saturday evening.
Around 8 p.m. on Saturday, a man was driving a silver four-door Jeep Cherokee about two miles south of the Klipsan Beach approach outside of Long Beach. The man intentionally ran over a flock of seagulls, killing 25, then nearly hit two people walking their dogs on the beach.
According to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Police, three witnesses stopped the Jeep and took photos of it and the driver. The other birds that were still alive after being struck later died.
Kim Ledyard McGee, who posted about the incident on Facebook, said that another person told her that the driver almost hit two dogs and was also "turfing" in the dunes. Gee said she tried to take three injured birds to a local wildlife center, "but sadly they died in our arms."
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife later identified the driver, and officers are currently trying to contact the man, who may be living out of state. A photo of the vehicle showed that it had California plates.
If anyone has information regarding the person of interest or vehicle, contact the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Police at 877-933-9847, online, or text WDFWTIP at TIP411 (847411).