Deputy shot answering call about possible cat shooting, officials say

A Highlands County sheriff’s deputy was shot and critically wounded while answering a call about a neighborhood dispute “that was over a cat that had possibly been shot,” officials said.

Sheriff Paul Blackman told reporters that Deputy William Gentry answered the call at a house on Baltimore Way in Lake Placid shortly before 8 p.m. Sunday.

According to Blackman, Gentry was having a discussion with Joseph Edward Ables, 69, the man who allegedly shot the cat.

“During this conversation with Mr. Ables, Deputy Gentry was shot,” Blackman said.