A North Carolina community is coming together to remember a teenager who senselessly lost his life. Jayden Livingston was taking an early morning walk with his dog when they were both gunned down. Currently, it is unknown if the shooting was a targeted one. The teen was a high school football player known for his sportsmanship and generally great attitude both on and off the field. Everyone who knew him had nothing but positive things to say and is mourning the loss of such a bright light. His death just highlights the ongoing crisis of gun violence and the desperate need for gun control laws.
There are still a lot of unknowns regarding the shooting.
On May 2, 2026, just before 6 a.m., deputies from the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office were called to a home to assist EMS, a news release posted to social media noted. When they arrived, they found a 16-year-old boy and his dog with gunshot wounds.
Both the teen and the dog were declared dead at the scene. The shooting is being investigated as a homicide, according to the sheriff’s office.
“There are times in my life when I have questioned the moral compass of society and this is truly another one of those times,” Sheriff Bobby F. Kimbrough, Jr. shared in a statement in the news release. “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. Make no mistake about it, there is a monster among us, and the FCSO will use all available resources to ensure this monster is captured.”
“This is just another sad example of senseless juvenile violence that has recently concerned myself and local law enforcement,” District Attorney Jim O’Neill expressed in the release.
The investigation is active and ongoing.
The teen was identified as Jayden Livingston by Stokes County Schools in a statement shared on social media. According to the statement, he had been enrolled at West Stokes High School since February 2026.
“While the time of enrollment was brief, the impact on students and staff is being taken seriously, and the district is committed to providing appropriate support,” the statement read.
“Due to the sensitive nature of the situation, a decision was made not to send a broad message to all families over the weekend until school administrators obtained permission from Jayden’s parents and had time to gather accurate information and ensure a thoughtful response,” the statement continued.
Before he attended West Stokes High School, Jayden attended Walkertown High School. In a social media post, the football team paid tribute to him.
“Please keep Jayden’s family and friends in your prayers during this very difficult time,” the post read. “Jayden was a member of our football team the past 2 seasons and was always a great teammate and young man to be around .Gone but never forgotten. Justice for Jayden – stop the violence!”
Those who knew Jayden Livingston had nothing but good things to say.
“He was just such a sweet kid, very respectful, never disrespectful, very smart,” Walkertown High School teacher Selina Galloway told WFMY. “He couldn’t leave my classroom without giving me a hug… I will always remember that.”
Galloway called the teen’s death “unbelievable,” adding he “never had any animosity with anybody.”
“When you think of who represents the best… Jayden would definitely be one of the ones at the top of my list,” his flag football coach, Shawn Thompson, told WFMY. “He just wanted to get to the next step, however he could do it, he was going to do it.”
A GoFundMe account was set up to help Jayden’s family with funeral costs.
“Jayden was more than a son, brother, grandson, nephew, uncle, and friend – he was a bright light with a kind heart, a contagious smile, and an athlete with a future full of promise,” the fundraiser reads. “He touched so many lives with his energy, compassion, and humor. No family should ever have to endure the pain of losing a child, especially in such a senseless way.”
