ROCKLEDGE, FL– A 20-year-old man has been arrested after he was caught shooting an alligator with a pellet gun. 

The incident occurred on Sunday at a home on Siderwheel Drive. 

The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office says they received video showing Peyton Anderson shooting the animal as it swam in a pond behind his house.

When they investigated the incident, Anderson admitted to shooting the alligator. 

According to investigators, the alligator was not a threat to any humans or animals at the time it was shot. 

Officials also reported that the alligator seemed to be in pain:

“The alligator was visibly in distress or pain after being shot,” the affidavit stated. 

Anderson is facing two charges of animal cruelty.