The mysterious creature terrorizing Cinniapolitans and their pet animals has been exterminated. The Holy Sheriff Legion confirmed there was a fatal confrontation between the beast and a group of volunteers early this morning. However, sources confirmed this was no beast but a human. A relative arrived to CSD headquarters to identify the remains as Russ Wahl, a Cinniapolis citizen that raised eyebrows with his publicized, controversial elective surgeries to replace his teeth and organs in hopes to eliminate humanity choking on food, forever.

A couple weeks ago, a hunting party began tracking the movements of the unknown creature, who had been attacking residents and their pets over the past several weeks. The party would convene each evening sharing intelligence and any community provided footage of the creature. They would then alternate foot patrols in the forest preserves and automobile patrols on neighborhood streets in an attempt to capture this menace.

While early patrols and traps were unsuccessful, the group followed a lead after deploying drones to surveil areas where they had picked up on unusual footprints attributed to the mystery beast. As last night’s group of volunteers were getting ready to call it a night and return home for a few hours of sleep before sunrise, the beast appeared on screen before their very eyes. “It was unlike anything I’ve seen before. It had thick coarse dark hair all over its body. But I could see its skin was flesh colored, like a human. It moved similar to an ape. It was very surreal and it was time to go get this thing,” said a volunteer, who wished to remain anonymous.

The posse tracked the creature down from the banks of forest preserve streams and creeks, leading to the shores of Lake Sinnissippi. It was there where they encountered a creature snarling, on its hind legs, knee deep in the lake. “It was feeding on the fish, like a bear. It would stand still under the moonlight, stare into the water and boom, snatch up a fish. It devoured 3 or 4 fish before our awe wore off and we decided to move on it,” said another anonymous volunteer. According to sources, the posse attempted to bait and trap the animal first, without success. They were then authorized by General John Chester over the phone to use lethal means against the beast. The posse opened fire. Just minutes later, the creature succumbed to gunshot wounds. The crew returned to CSD headquarters with the deceased creature, ready to celebrate. However, the mood turned somber when the coroner revealed this was a human being. “Crushed, just crushed. I would have never volunteered if I knew we were pursuing a human being. Words might have been more effective than bullets,” said an anonymous volunteer.

The CSD and HSL released a joint statement regarding the incident, “We are deeply saddened by this morning’s events at Lake Sinnissippi. Our condolences and prayers go out to Mr. Wahl and his family. We regret the outcome that led to his death. We made every attempt to capture him alive, but were unsuccessful. Mr. Wahl repeatedly attacked innocent citizens and attempted to kill any living creature in his path. Our volunteers had no choice but to fire lethal rounds when he rushed their position on the beach. While we are relieved for the communities he terrorized, we understand this was not the same man who was loved by his family. He was a product of this new, superficial mad-science of unachievable perfection that has gripped society over the past several years. We will remember Mr. Wahl as the man who loved his family and friends.”