Alleged Georgetown Cat Killer Arrested

Seattle Police arrested Antoine Leander Runner Jr., the man suspected of recently killing and mutilating cats in the area. Officers arrested him April 25 and a judge initially set bail at $3,000 but raised it to $20,000 after Runner refused three court appearances. A judge referred him for evaluation to determine if he is mentally competent to eventually stand trial.

Antoine Leander Runner Jr., suspected of killing and mutilating area cats

In 2023, Seattle Animal Control officers suspected Runner was responsible for a series of grisly cat killings and charged him with killing an animal, animal cruelty, and trapping without a permit, according to court records.

On March 31, members of the Alley Cat Project (ACP), who manage a feral cat colony in Georgetown, found the mutilated remains of one of their resident cats. In early April, a Beacon Hill resident found a disemboweled tabby under the Lucile St. overpass.

The crimes were posted widely on social media. Community members quickly rallied to call in tips and sightings to the police and Seattle Animal Control. The suspect was also photographed and filmed setting up makeshift traps constructed from cat carriers, bins, and rope. 

The tips allowed police to show enough probable cause to convince a judge to issue a bench warrant for Runner’s arrest. Although the suspect was not seen directly harming cats, the warrant allowed police to make the April 25 arrest on trespassing charges.

Runner may be off the streets for now, but many pet owners are wondering how to protect their pets in the future. Don Baxter, Manager of Field Services at the Seattle Animal Shelter, offered some tips:

Tips for cats

• Protect cats from wildlife, cars, or unknown dogs and humans by keeping them indoors if possible.

• If your cat does go outside,

  • consider building an outdoor catio, or outdoor cat enclosure.

  • take them outside under your supervision.

  • let them out only in daylight hours.

  • attach a GPS tracker to their collar to track their whereabouts.

Tips for dogs

• Make sure dogs are on leash when walking outdoors. This can help you act quickly if there's an unexpected situation.

• Be aware of your surroundings when you’re out with your dog. Keep your eyes on the street and off of electronic devices. If you don’t feel safe, cross the street.

• Consider carrying something that makes noise, like a whistle or an alarm. This could provide a diversion for an aggressive dog or wildlife.