Monday, February 24, 2025, 10:50AM |  34°
MENU
Advertisement
1
MORE

Investigation into deer-torture video nearly complete, Pa. game warden says

Investigation into deer-torture video nearly complete, Pa. game warden says

The investigation into the deer-torture video that went viral out of a small Pennsylvania town and sparked outrage across the country is nearly complete.

State Game Warden Chip Brunst told WJAC-TV this week the next step is to present evidence from the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s investigation to the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, which will likely happen after the holidays.

The Game Commission opened an investigation into the video from Brookville that appeared to show two teens laughing as they tortured a white-tailed buck that had been shot, but not immediately killed.

Advertisement

The brutal video caused an outcry in the public, with some of the loudest and most passionate messages coming from Pennsylvania hunters, commission officials said.

The public, including hunters, were outraged by a viral video showing a deer being tortured in Pennsylvania.
John Hayes
Pennsylvania deer torture suspects charged in Jefferson County

The teens were identified by Brookville officials as Alex Smith, 18, and Cody Hetrick, 16. Smith’s stepfather is the police chief in Brookville, and Cody’s parents own and operate a barbecue restaurant.

Close to 700,000 people have now signed a Change.org petition for criminal prosecution.

In the video, two teens appear to kick the deer in the face, step on its legs and rip out its antlers, all while it was still alive but unable to escape because it had been shot.

Advertisement

The commission announced early in their investigation that “the conduct portrayed in the video is reprehensible and potentially a violation of the law.” The actions on the video “do not represent ethical hunting practices or individuals who we would be proud to consider Pennsylvania hunters.”

First Published: December 31, 2019, 6:20 p.m.

RELATED
Comments Disabled For This Story
Partners
Advertisement
Protesters gathered at the corner of Murray and Forbes avenues to speak out against the Trump administration's policies on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in Squirrel Hill.
1
news
'We will fight back': Hundreds rally in Squirrel Hill in opposition of Trump, Musk and president's administration
This undated photo provided by the Denver Police Department shows Andrew Duarte who served as a Denver police officer from 2017 to 2022.
2
news
Officer killed in York hospital shootout was PennWest California graduate
Pirates starting pitcher Mitch Keller warms up in the outfield befiore their first home game of the Grapefruit League season at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Florida, on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025.
3
sports
3 takeaways from Pirates’ second straight win to start spring training
York County District Attorney Timothy J. Barker reacts during a news conference regarding the shooting at UPMC Memorial Hospital in York, Pa. on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025.
4
news
Police officer killed, gunman dead in shooting at UPMC Memorial Hospital in York
Penguins goaltender Joel Blomqvist stands in the crease as the New York Rangers celebrate a goal by Adam Fox in the third period during the game Sunday at PPG Paints Arena.
5
sports
Goaltending woes cost the Penguins again as they fall to rival Rangers
Advertisement
LATEST news
Advertisement
TOP
Email a Story