Family, friends, nation mourning death of murdered five-year-old Cannon Hinnant
Image credit: Wilson Police Department
As historically awful as 2020 has been due to the political lawlessness, the riots and the ongoing global pandemic, the heartbreaking story of Cannon Hinnant is proof that no matter how bad things are – there’s still plenty of room for things to get much, much worse – especially in the case of one North Carolina family who lost their beautiful baby boy in an unbelievably horrific, senseless, and fatal shooting.
On August 9 at 5:33 p.m., officers with the Wilson Police Department were dispatched to the 5100 block of Archers Road in Wilson after receiving a call about a shooting. When police arrived on the scene, they found five-year-old Cannon Hinnant suffering from a gunshot wound. Police quickly identified Darius N. Sessoms, 25, as the suspected shooter.
Cannon Hinnant was riding his bike outside his father’s home in Wilson on Sunday when a man walked up to him and shot him in the head, witnesses told police. ~ CNN
Cops wasted no time procuring a First-Degree Murder warrant as they began a furious and desperate manhunt for Sessoms. By August 10, police reported that they arrested Sessoms after locating him in a Goldsboro residence, and that he had been charged and jailed without bond.
Meanwhile, the nation grew dumbfounded as details of the boy’s murder were released.
CNN reported that Cannon was playing outdoors with his two sisters, ages 7 and 8, while his dad, Austin Hinnant, was inside the family home when he heard a gunshot.
Hinnant says he ran outside and scooped up the injured child and held him in his arms.
“I screamed ‘somebody help me, please help me save my son,” he said.
In an interview with WRAL, the father said that while he was holding his wounded child, he could see Sessoms nearby. The neighbor was in the yard next door. He had a gun and he was pacing frantically in the yard.
“I was looking at him as I was picking up Cannon, and I was so full of rage, but I could not leave my son’s side,” he said. “I just wanted to be with my son.”
Hinnant’s fiancé called 911, he said, and Sessoms drove away.
Ina separate report, the grieving dad told CNN that, “[You] can’t imagine what it’s like to hold your son in your arms with a gunshot wound to the head, and his blood is running down your arms.”
When police and EMS personnel arrived, they initiated life-serving measures on Cannon and transported the five-year-old to Wilson Medical Center. Tragically, Cannon died from his injuries.
Cannon Hinnant – Instagram Gallery
There’s still no motive in this senseless shooting. Austin Hinnant said there were no problems or bad feelings between he and Sessoms, and that the two even had dinner together the evening before the shooting, according to USA Today.
Although Cannon’s tragic murder has received nationwide news coverage, some are concerned that it hasn’t received enough.
Cannon’s grandmother, Gwen Hinnant, initiated a fundraiser in Cannon’s name. On Cannon’s GoFundMe page, “Justice for Cannon,” the grandmom writes:
On Sunday, August 9th, this precious angel was playing outside with his siblings when he was murdered. He was merely doing what he would do any other day and that’s playing with his sisters, riding his bike, doing what kids do and all of the innocence that comes with being a child. This family has faced unimaginable pain because of this senseless act of violence. We are asking for your donations to assist with anything that may be needed for expenses related to his services. We offer our sincerest appreciation in this extremely difficult time. #justice for Cannon
***This go fund me was established with permission from both parents*** I am Cannons grandmother. Any other pages in relation to Cannon that are currently accepting donations are not approved by his family!
As of this writing, Cannon’s GoFundMe page has raised $576,599 of a $5,000 goal.
The grandmom said that the money will go to expenses following Cannon’s death . . .
— things like therapy for his sisters. And she hopes there will be enough money to fund a project to help memorialize Cannon’s story. Maybe a bike park for kids, Hinnant said. That’s something “Cannon would have loved and other children will enjoy.” ~ USA Today
Cannon was scheduled to begin kindergarten this week. Instead, family and friends gathered at his funeral Thursday evening to pay their respects and say goodbye to the much loved little one. ABC11 reported that more than 100 cars filled the funeral home parking lot and other nearby places. Family, loved ones, and strangers all showed up to lift up Cannon’s family during an unthinkable time.
For more on the tragic story, see the video accompanying this article.
(Source: Wilson Police Department)
~ Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Connect with Richard on Facebook and Twitter
