Cannon Hinnant: North Carolina boy, 5, shot dead by neighbor in front of sisters, aged 7 and 8, in his own yard

WILSON, NORTH CAROLINA: A man has been taken into custody after he allegedly killed a five-year-old boy while he was riding his bike in his own yard on Sunday evening, August 9. Cannon Hinnant was shot dead by Darius Sessoms in front of his two sisters, aged seven and eight.

According to reports, the 25-year-old accused was arrested almost after 24 hours of the tragedy after he allegedly approached the boy in front of his father's house and shot him in the head. The victim’s mother Bonny Waddell said that Cannon’s two sisters witnessed the murder. In addition, it has also been reported that a neighbor Doris Labrant witnessed the killing through her window, who later called 911.

“My first reaction was he's playing with the kids. For a second, I thought, ‘That couldn't happen’. People don't run across the street and kill kids,” Labrant said, adding: “Austin [Cannon’s father] ran out of that house screaming and picked him up. They'll never get over it. You don't expect to see somebody shoot someone. It's almost like seeing a movie and then all of a sudden it dawns on you it's not a movie.”

Sessoms reportedly was a neighbor of Cannon’s family and had a good relationship with them. Even other residents in the area claimed that the suspect had dinner with the young boy’s father Austin Hinnant on Friday, August 7, and also visited their house earlier on Sunday. The murder is reportedly not believed to be a random act, but the motive behind it is still unclear. Local police are working on the case, The Daily Mail reported.

Meanwhile, a GoFundMe page has been launched for Cannon to “help with funeral expenses and any help along the way”. The fundraiser has been initiated by Christina Prezioso, cousin of Austin, that read: “Sunday, August 9, 2020 a sweet soul named Cannon Hinnant was taken from this world over a senseless act. A beautiful 5 year old baby boy riding his bicycle was shot by his neighbor point blank in Wilson NC.  One minute he is enjoying his life, the next it all ends because he rode into his neighbors yard.. 5 years old guys!! Nothing prepares a parent for the loss of their child. No child should ever have their future stolen from them.”

The victim’s mother Bonny said: “He was just a loving kid. He had the biggest heart. It’s devastating. No one should ever have to bury their child. No mother should have to go through this.” While Rachel Pipkin, a cousin of Cannon’s mother, said: “We used to play together and I never thought he’d kill someone. A mother now has to lay her son to rest at 5 years old which she should never have to do. He’ll never be forgotten.”

Police arrived at the scene on Archers Road at around 5:30 pm when they found the child with a gunshot wound. A futile attempt to revive him was made by emergency personnel before being taken to the Wilson Medical Center where he was declared dead later.

Soon after the alleged murder, Sessoms was identified as the suspect in the case. Though he made an attempt to run away from the law personnel but was later found by authorities in a home in Goldsboro. He was charged with first-degree murder on Monday, August 10, and has been held without bond. On August 11 morning, the accused appeared virtually in court from Wilson County Jail.