Peoria Man Released After Being Accused of Killing Three Cats With a Hammer
A Peoria Heights man faces three felony charges after allegedly killing three cats with a hammer. A judge released him with GPS monitoring and mental health conditions after citing his lack of criminal history.
Peoria County prosecutors charged a 22-year-old man with three felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals after he allegedly struck three cats to death with a hammer. The judge released him with strict conditions after a detention hearing last week.
According to a press release from the Peoria County State's Attorney's Office, Gabriel Paul Brooks is accused of killing three cats belonging to his girlfriend on the evening of April 9, 2026.
The girlfriend returned home from work and found the cats, named Freddy, Merry, and Samwise, dead on the living room floor of her residence at the Glenbrook Apartments in the 4700 block of North Knoxville Avenue in Peoria Heights.
"A hammer with apparent blood, as well as clumps of hair, was found in the bedroom that the woman shared with Brooks," according to the press release by the Peoria County State's Attorney's Office.
A Suicide Attempt and a Confession
Brooks was not at the apartment when police first arrived. Later that night, he contacted the girlfriend to say he had taken pills and intended to drown himself in the Illinois River.
Police found Brooks walking out of the river and transported him to Carle Health Methodist Hospital for a mental health evaluation. Reportedly, Brooks admitted to killing the cats, which the couple referred to as their "babies."
Indicted, Arrested, Released
A Peoria County Grand Jury indicted Brooks on April 28, 2026. A warrant for his arrest was issued the same day. Brooks had been transferred to a mental health facility in Knox County and was arrested there on May 21, 2026.
At his detention hearing on May 22, 2026, Judge David Brown denied the prosecution's request to keep Brooks jailed. The judge cited Brooks' voluntary commitment to mental health treatment, his expressed desire to return for treatment, and his lack of prior criminal history.
"Brooks voluntary commitment to the mental health facility, his desire to return for treatment, and his lack of prior criminal history," the press release quoted Judge Brown as saying.
Brooks was released with the following conditions:
- Returning to the mental health facility and complying with treatment
- No contact with the victim or any companion animals
- GPS electronic monitoring
- If released from treatment, providing residency where a curfew can be enforced
Next Steps
Court records show Brooks' arraignment is scheduled for June 25, 2026 at 9:30 a.m.
The Peoria County State's Attorney's Office confirmed the charges remain active. Brooks faces three felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals, a serious offense under Illinois law that can carry significant prison time if convicted.
The girlfriend's identity has not been released.
This story is based on a press release from the Peoria County State's Attorney's Office and court records. Details may change as the case proceeds.