Daily Caller News Foundation
Exposing The Truth One Story At A Time

US

North Carolina Man Arrested After He Allegedly Shot And Killed A 5-Year-Old Playing Outside

No featured image available

Jake Dima
August 11, 2020 1:04 PM ET

A Wilson, North Carolina man was arrested Tuesday after he allegedly approached a 5-year-old who was playing outside and shot the child in the head.

Darius Sessoms, 25, was apprehended and charged with first degree murder in connection with his alleged role in ending the life of the toddler, according to WRAL. The 25-year-old ran up to Cannon Hinnant, 5, and shot him in the head in front of his two sisters, aged 8 and 9, while they played outside of their home, witnesses told the local outlet.

“My first reaction was he’s playing with the kids,” Doris Lybrand, who watched the shooting, told WRAL. “For a second, I thought, ‘That couldn’t happen.’ People don’t run across the street and kill kids.”

The 5-year-old was pronounced dead at a local hospital, according to the outlet. Sessoms is reportedly Cannon’s neighbor and residents claim the accused man had dinner with the boy’s father on Saturday and was seen at the family home on Sunday, WRAL reported.

Police have yet to release a motive for the alleged killing, but insist the murder was not random, according to WRAL.

Christina Prezioso, who said she is Cannon’s cousin, has organized a GoFundMe page that has amassed over $5,500 at the time of publishing. Prezioso alleges the toddler was shot after he rode his bicycle into Sessoms’ yard.

“I am the cousin of Austin Hinnant, father of Cannon,” Prezioso wrote in the post. “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,” Prezioso wrote.

Sessoms is being held without bond.

All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact [email protected].