By admin 
WALKERTOWN, N.C. (WGHP) — Law enforcement officials announced new charges against a man accused of shooting into a home, killing a young man and a dog earlier this month.
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On Thursday, the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office held a press conference where they announced that they charged John Claude Fowler Jr., 19, of Winston-Salem, with murder and felony cruelty to animals. Last week, he had been taken into custody and charged with four counts of discharging a firearm into an occupied dwelling. These new charges are in addition to the previous charges.
During a press conference held by FCSO, Forsyth County District Attorney Jim O’Neill said this was a senseless act of violence.
“You know, this is not a day for celebration. You know, because, as the sheriff pointed out, the family is getting ready to bury their 16-year-old, a 16-year-old who’s doing nothing more than lying in bed with his dog. The same thing many of us do in this community, many of our kids do in this community.”
On May 2, just before 6 a.m., FCSO deputies responded to a home on New Walkertown Road. Jayden Livingston, 16, and his dog were found at the scene with gunshot wounds. They were in Livingston’s bedroom when they were shot and they did not survive.
Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough said he is thinking of the family of Jayden Livingston and the community that continues to grieve his loss.
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“They don’t even know what life is about. Prominent high school football player. Probably been playing in someone’s school division one. Excellent athlete, but now his family is preparing to lay him to rest Saturday,” said Kimbrough.
Officials said Fowler had lived in the home at one time and had knowledge of where Livingston’s bedroom was in the house, but Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough did not speak to precisely how they knew each other before the shooting.
Winston-Salem Police Chief William Penn Jr. said while investigators aren’t sharing the evidence in this case, they have taken their time to build this case.
“This was a quick conclusion to a complex case. In an age of instant information, sometimes we have to remind one another that although making an arrest is a goal, it is not the goal. The goal is successful prosecution and bringing justice to our community,” said Penn.
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Fowler is expected to appear in court on Friday for the new charges.