GABRIEL PAUL BROOKS accused of striking to death three of his girlfriend’s cats with a hammer

- Illinois, USA -

The Peoria County State’s Attorney's Office announced that 22-year-old GABRIEL PAUL BROOKS (pictured), has been charged with three felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals in connection with the killing of three of his girlfriend’s cats.

On the late evening of April 9, 2026, BROOKS’ girlfriend returned home from work and discovered three of her cats, Freddy, Merry and Samwise, lifeless on the living room floor.

The woman called the Peoria Heights Police Department and explained that she had left around 4:00 p.m. to go to work and that BROOKS was the only person at home.

According to the press release by the Peoria County State’s Attorney's Office, a hammer with apparent blood, as well as clumps of hair, was found in the bedroom that the woman shared with BROOKS.

When officers responded to the woman’s residence at the Glenbrook Apartments in the 4700 block of North Knoxville Avenue, BROOKS was not there.

Later that night, the woman called the police again stating that BROOKS had contacted her to say that he had taken a bunch of pills and was going to drown himself in the Illinois River because of what he had done. Reportedly, BROOKS admitted to killing the “babies”, as the couple referred to the cats.

Police located BROOKS walking out of the river and took him to Carle Health Methodist Hospital for a mental health evaluation.

On April 28, 2026, BROOKS was indicted by a Peoria County Grand Jury and a warrant for his arrest was issued that same day.

Meanwhile, BROOKS had been transferred to a mental health facility in Knox County and that’s where he was arrested on May 21, 2026.

During BROOKS’ detention hearing on May 22, 2026, judge David Brown denied the prosecution’s request to keep BROOKS in jail, noting “... Brooks voluntary commitment to the mental health facility, his desire to return for treatment, and his lack of prior criminal history,” stated the press release.

According to the Peoria County State’s Attorney's Office, BROOKS “...was released with conditions, including returning to the mental health facility and complying with treatment, no contact with the victim or any companion animals, GPS electronic monitoring, and, if released from treatment, providing residency where a curfew can be enforced.”

Court records show that BROOKS’ arraignment is set to take place on June 25, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.

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Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from the media release by the Peoria County State’s Attorney's Office. Please note that details may be removed or new information added should updates become available.

In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.

Mugshot shared from the Peoria County Jail.

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