'People don't run across the street and kill kids': Answers wanted in 5-year-old's death
WILSON, N.C. (WSET) — A 5-year-old boy who police said was shot by his neighbor at point blank range will be laid to rest Thursday.
Police on Sunday said officers responding to a report of a shooting found 5-year-old Cannon Hinnant suffering from a gunshot wound. Capt. Steve Stroud said officers and emergency personnel performed first aid before the boy was taken to Wilson Medical Center, where he died.
Police said 25-year-old Darius Nathaniel Sessoms was arrested Monday. He's charged with first-degree murder and is being held without bond.
Cannon's life will be celebrated Thursday, August 13 at a funeral home in Wilson, North Carolina and then the community is gathering for a candlelight vigil Friday at the Wilson courthouse.
Family members told WRAL in Raleigh that Cannon was playing outside at his father's home when he was shot in the head in front of his two sisters, ages 8 and 7.
Family said Sessoms lived next door to Cannon's father.
A neighbor, who told WRAL she witnessed the shooting from her window, said Sessoms ran up to Cannon and put the gun to his head before running back into his own home.
"My first reaction was he's playing with the kids," Doris Lybrand told the news station. "For a second, I thought, 'That couldn't happen.' People don't run across the street and kill kids."
Doris called 911 after she said she saw Cannon's father's reaction.
Cannon's grandmother told WRAL that the family was happy to know Sessoms is in custody and charged, but they are devastated by the senseless killing.
A GoFundMe, created for the Hinnant family, shows Cannon was set to start kindergarten this year. Gwen Hinnant, a relative of Cannon's family, said she wanted it to help with funeral expenses and any help along the way for Cannon's parents.
