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'Disturbing' | Police Search For Suspect Who Baited Seagulls, Ran Them Over In Laurel Parking Lot

LAUREL, MD. (WJZ) — Laurel police believe someone lured several seagulls to a specific area in a parking lot, then killed the birds on purpose.

One of the first officers on the scene called the case "disturbing,"

They said someone had sprinkled popcorn out in the open Saturday morning to draw seagulls, with several of the birds gathered, and then the suspect used a car to run the birds over.

PETA Offers $5K Reward In Laurel Seagull-Killing Case

Police believe it happened between 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

"I was disturbed," said Corporal Wilson, with the Laurel Police Department.

Corporal Wilson said she had been speechless when she got to the scene.

"I didn't know if how it was really dispatched is what it was. And it was actually worse than how the call had come out to us initially." She said.

Police said at least 10 of the birds were killed, but Corporal Wilson was able to save just one.

"I was able to get a cardboard box. we poked some holes in it and I transferred it Frisky's Wild Life Rehabilitation."

As word of this unusual animal cruelty case got out, the reactions rolled in.

"Never seen now heard something so cruel and ignorant." said Laurel resident Yancy Spencer.

"I think there might be something wrong in the way that person is thinking." said another resident, Jack Gates.

Police believe the suspect bought the popcorn from the Dollar Tree in the same shopping center off Fort Meade Road.

But Corporal Wilson said no cameras were pointing in the direction where the birds died, so they are having a tough time identifying the suspect.

"This was just a senseless act of violence. I think any human being would feel compassion for this."

If anyone has any information about this crime, call Laurel Police.

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