A Mint Hill man, Cameron Bernard Torrence, 30, is facing charges after authorities arrested him in relation to a shocking video that depicted an opossum being set on fire. A Facebook video, which has since been taken down, showed a group of individuals dousing the animal in a flammable substance before igniting it. The incident occurred on April 24, and Torrence, the man linked to the Facebook profile where the video was originally posted, has been charged with instigating cruelty to animals, fleeing and eluding arrest, and probation violation, as reported by WCCB Charlotte.
According to a Queen City News report, Torrence was arrested on Thursday and has not yet been granted bond, remaining in the Mecklenburg County Detention Center. The arrest followed a weeklong investigation after the North Carolina Wildlife Commission identified persons of interest, anticipating felony charges. Three people were believed to be involved in the distressing incident, which attracted substantial tips from the community, leading the Charlotte Crime Stoppers to eventually note that they had enough information to proceed with the case.
WCNC Charlotte conveyed additional details, stating that Torrence was taken into custody around 1 p.m. yesterday. The arrest warrant accused him of unlawfully promoting cruelty to animals by participating in and sharing the video of the opossum being set ablaze. Lt. Forrest Orr with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission emphasized the rarity of such cases, affirming, "We're still looking at all possible avenues in the case," in a statement obtained by WCNC. Orr also reflected on the difficulty of understanding the motives behind such acts of cruelty.
The case has sparked significant public outrage since the video made its rounds on social media. WCCB Charlotte noted that the initial video was removed, but discussions around the abhorrent act continued on Torrence's Facebook profile. The authorities are working to identify if other individuals present in the video are also culpable. Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy have offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the incident.
Anyone with information about the case or other instances of wildlife mistreatment is encouraged to contact the NC WILDTIP hotline at 1-855-WILDTIP. Tips can also be texted using the keyword WILDTIP to 847411, as mentioned by WCNC Charlotte.
