A 16-year-old boy and his dog were shot dead in North Carolina, with investigators asking any witnesses to come forward and help solve the shocking crime.
Deputies discovered the teen and his dog with gunshot wounds after they were called to a home in Walkertown, about 25 miles west of Greensboro, just before 6 a.m. Saturday morning, the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office said.
Both the boy and his dog were pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.
“Make no mistake about it, there is a monster among us,” Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby F. Kimbrough Jr. said after the killing.
The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident as a homicide. The investigation is open and ongoing, authorities added.
“There are times in my life when I have questioned the moral compass of society and this is truly another one of those times. When a 16-year-old child and his pet can be gunned down in the quiet of the morning hours, it causes me to question our sense of morality and brings true anguish,” Kimbrough, the sheriff, added.
Authorities have not publicly identified the boy who was killed or shared any additional details. A motive in the shooting was not immediately known.
Footage taken by Fox 8 showed multiple police cars with their lights on at the residence where the boy and his dog were found.
“This is just another sad example of senseless juvenile violence that has recently concerned myself and local law enforcement,” Forsyth County District Attorney Jim O’Neill said.
The sheriff’s office is asking for witnesses or other people with information to contact them directly.
Anyone with information can call 336-727-2112; anonymously text information, photos, and video via Text-A-Tip at 336-920-8477; or anonymously call Crimestoppers at 336-727-2800 for English or 336-728-3904 for Spanish.
To report information concerning juvenile behavior or request juvenile intervention resources, call our Juvenile Intervention and Investigation Team (JIIT) number at 336-917-7030; you may remain anonymous.
