TPWD: Man in graphic video confesses to hammering turtle to death on Lady Bird Lake in Austin

With the help of social media tips, authorities were able to track down Terry Washinhgton on June 23, 2016, who was caught on video allegedly catching and beating a snapping turtle to death with a hammer on the banks of Lady Bird Lake in Austin. less With the help of social media tips, authorities were able to track down Terry Washinhgton on June 23, 2016, who was caught on video allegedly catching and beating a snapping turtle to death with a hammer on ... more Photo: Provided By Geoffrey Frank Photo: Provided By Geoffrey Frank Image 1 of / 6 Caption Close TPWD: Man in graphic video confesses to hammering turtle to death on Lady Bird Lake in Austin 1 / 6 Back to Gallery

With the help of social media tips, authorities were able to track down a man who was caught on video catching and then beating a snapping turtle to death with a hammer on the banks of Lady Bird Lake in Austin this week.

The Austin Police Department told mySA.com on Friday they are conducting an ongoing investigation surrounding the suspect in the footage, identified by police as Terry Washington.

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The case was initially handled by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department when an Austin news station notified the office of a video circulating on social media, shot by a resident named Geoffrey Frank.

"We got word from a Fox affiliate that they received video from a witness that shows a guy catching a large snapping turtle with a rod wheel and taking a hammer and beating it to death," TPWD News Manager Steve Lightfoot told mySA.com.

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Lightfoot said the station was urged to put out a call for information from viewers and on Thursday, TPWD and animal cruelty officers were able to locate Washington with the help of tips on the operation game thief hotline and social media.

(Graphic Video) Share this and get him caught! Caught this during my run at Lady Bird Lake in downtown Austin today.... Posted by Geoffrey Frank on Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Washington confessed to game wardens that he had committed the offense, Lightfoot said.

He was issued two Class C misdemeanors for "hunting without a license," punishable by a fine up to $500, and for "illegal dumping of wildlife resources," since Washington allegedly threw the turtle back into the water, Lightfoot said.

Fines for the second offense will depend on the size of the turtle.

Lightfoot said a "valid Texas hunting license" is required for anyone hunting any animal, bird, frog, or turtle in Texas.

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According to APD, Washington is possibly facing misdemeanor charges for "Cruelty to Nonlivestock Animals," The APD Animal Cruelty Unit is asking the public for witnesses to come forward with statements by calling 512-978-0523.

Frank, who witnessed the incident first-hand and published the footage on Facebook, told mySA.com he is "still flabbergasted" by the local "viral" response to the story, which helped authorities track down Washington. His June 21 Facebook post has been shared more than 2,000 times as of Friday morning.

"The city came together to bring justice to a turtle, when many would have just walked by and said 'Oh, it's just an animal,'" he said.

mmendoza@mysa.com

Twitter: @MaddySkye