Cato meets his end in a dramatic and brutal fashion during the climax of the 74th Hunger Games. After being one of the last tributes remaining in the arena, he is faced with Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark. The three of them are caught in a tense standoff, with Cato desperately trying to fight off his opponents.
In the final showdown, Cato is attacked by the muttations—creatures genetically engineered to resemble the deceased tributes. As he struggles against them, he becomes trapped, which leads to his inevitable defeat. Katniss, having no real choice, shoots him with an arrow to put him out of his misery. This act is particularly significant as it reflects the harsh realities of the Games, showcasing not only the brutality of survival but also the moral dilemmas faced by the tributes.
Ultimately, Cato’s death is a poignant reminder of the cruelty of the Hunger Games and the lengths to which individuals will go to survive, even against their fellow tributes.