LAUREL, Md. — The Laurel police officer who found a flock of dead seagulls in a shopping center parking lot describes the scene of horror.
It happened just after 10:45 a.m. Saturday outside the Dollar Tree on Fort Meade Road.
"It was quite worse than the call came out, very upsetting, troubling, concerning, all the above," said Corporal Laura Wilson.
Police believe the suspect bought a bag of popcorn from the dollar store, and intentionally lured the seagulls by pouring it all out onto the parking lot.
When the seagulls came to eat the popcorn, the suspect allegedly ran them over with their car before fleeing.
RELATED: Police: Someone purposely spilled popcorn at Laurel shopping center just to kill seagulls
"I was shocked, I've never seen anything like this in the six years I've been working here. In my entire life, I've never seen a scene like this, it was pure evilness, it takes a heartless person to do something like this," Wilson said.
One seagull was still alive when Wilson arrived. She heard flapping and discovered a seagull with a fractured wing. After a few minutes, Wilson was able to wrap the bird up in a blanket and take it to an area wildlife rescue center.
Unfortunately, the bird was unable to be saved and died.
On Monday, PETA offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case.
"I hope you have it in your heart to do the right thing and come speak with officers," was Wilson's message for the suspect.
Anyone with information is asked to email LPDtips@laurel.md.us
