'Monster among us': Teen and his dog killed at home before sunrise as shooter flees

A shooter is at large after killing a 16-year-old along with his beloved dog in Forsyth County, North Carolina, in an attack that jolted the authorities.

Just before 6 a.m., the brutal attack unfolded at a rural home in Walkertown that is nearly 85 miles from Charlotte.

Deputies scrambled to the scene after receiving an emergency call; however, the tragedy had already taken place.

On the spot, according to the Charlotte Observer, both the teenager and his dog were pronounced dead.

Though the cops have so far shared scant details about the attack, they have described the shooting as an “example of senseless juvenile violence."

Shaken by the shooting, Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby F. Kimbrough spoke plainly in a press release, “There are times in my life when I have questioned the moral compass of society, and this is truly another one of those times."

Calling the gunman a "monster", the sheriff says, “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.”

The hunt for the killer is at full pace by the Forsyth County authorities.