Cannon Hinnant
Child Murder Case
CLASSIFICATION: Murder
LOCATION
Wilson, North Carolina, U.S.
TIME PERIOD
August 9, 2020
VICTIMS
1 confirmed
On August 9, 2020, five-year-old Cannon Blake Hinnant was fatally shot while playing in his neighbor's yard in Wilson, North Carolina. The shooter, 25-year-old Darius Nathaniel Sessoms, shot Hinnant at point-blank range before being arrested within 24 hours and charged with first-degree murder. The motive for the shooting remains unknown. On December 29, 2022, Sessoms entered an Alford plea, resulting in a life sentence without the possibility of parole. His girlfriend, Aolani Takemi Marie Pettit, was also charged as a felony accessory after the fact and received 18 months of probation. The case garnered significant media attention, particularly regarding claims of racial motivation, which Hinnant's family has publicly rejected.
Theories surrounding the murder of Cannon Hinnant include speculation about a potential racial motive behind the shooting, which has been publicly denied by Hinnant's family. Additionally, some community members believe that the crime may have been influenced by underlying tensions between the families involved. The swift arrest and conviction of Darius Sessoms have led to discussions about the broader implications of gun violence and child safety in neighborhoods.
The Tragic Murder of Cannon Hinnant
The Crime
On a warm summer evening in Wilson, North Carolina, the sound of children's laughter filled the air as five-year-old Cannon Blake Hinnant played outside with his two older sisters. It was August 9, 2020, a day that began like any other but ended in tragedy. At 5:30 p.m., young Cannon rode his bicycle onto the property of his next-door neighbor, Darius Nathaniel Sessoms. In an unthinkable act of violence, Sessoms, a 25-year-old man, approached the boy and shot him at point-blank range. The motive behind this brutal act remains unknown.
Emergency services responded swiftly, rushing Cannon to Wilson Medical Center. Despite their efforts, the little boy succumbed to his injuries, leaving a devastated family and community in mourning. Within 24 hours of the shooting, law enforcement had apprehended Sessoms, charging him with first-degree murder.
The Investigation and Arrests
The investigation into Cannon's murder swiftly moved forward. On September 22, Sessoms' girlfriend, Aolani Takemi Marie Pettit, found herself entangled in the case. Authorities charged her with felony accessory after the fact, believing she had a role in covering up the crime. As the legal proceedings began, the community watched closely, yearning for justice.
Legal Proceedings
Darius Sessoms faced formal indictment by a grand jury on December 22, 2021, solidifying the charges against him. His court date was set for January 26, 2022. By January, Sessoms stood in court, pleading not guilty to both first-degree murder and illegal possession of a firearm. During this time, prosecutors pursued the death penalty, underscoring the severity of his alleged crimes.
The Verdict and Sentencing
Ultimately, on December 29, 2022, Darius Sessoms entered an Alford plea. This legal maneuver allowed him to maintain his innocence while acknowledging that the prosecution possessed sufficient evidence for a conviction. Consequently, the court sentenced Sessoms to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Pettit, who had pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice, received a suspended sentence of 4 to 14 months, with 18 months of supervised probation.
A Political Storm
The murder of Cannon Hinnant ignited a political firestorm, particularly among conservative circles. Some individuals and media outlets argued that mainstream outlets, save for Fox News, shied away from reporting the case because it involved a black man killing a white child. However, investigations by Snopes confirmed that local and national media had, indeed, covered the tragic incident.
Social media users appropriated slogans from the anti-racist policing movement to champion Cannon's cause, but the family pushed back against these narratives. Cannon's mother took to Facebook, clarifying that her son's death was not racially motivated and imploring others to stop comparing it to the murder of George Floyd. Both parents stood firm in their belief that race played no role in the senseless act that took their son.
Remembering Cannon
In the wake of Cannon's death, communities rallied to remember and honor his short life. His funeral took place on August 13, 2020, a somber occasion for family and friends. To support the grieving family, Cannon's grandmother launched a GoFundMe campaign with an initial goal of $5,000. The generosity of strangers poured in, and by August 19, donations had exceeded $815,000.
Memorials sprang up in Cannon's honor. On August 14, 2020, Skeeter Tulloch from Lee County painted "Cannon's Life Matters" on a street, a poignant tribute to the young boy. On August 23, hundreds gathered in Kenly, North Carolina, to pay their respects. Attendees wore shirts that read "I Can't Ride / All Lives Matter" and participated in an all-day softball fundraiser the day before.
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Cannon Hinnant Murdered
Five-year-old Cannon Hinnant is shot and killed by neighbor Darius Sessoms while playing outside.
Suspect Arrested
Darius Sessoms is arrested within 24 hours of the shooting and charged with first-degree murder.
Accessory Arrested
Sessoms' girlfriend is arrested and charged with felony accessory after the fact.
Indictment
Darius Sessoms is formally indicted by a grand jury for first-degree murder.
Initial Court Date
Sessoms' initial court date is set; prosecutors announce they are seeking the death penalty.
Life Sentence
Darius Sessoms enters an Alford plea and is sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Girlfriend Sentenced
Sessoms' girlfriend pleads guilty to obstruction of justice and receives probation.
Cannon's Funeral
Funeral services for Cannon Hinnant are held, attended by family and community members.
On August 9, 2020, five-year-old Cannon Blake Hinnant was fatally shot while playing in his neighbor's yard in Wilson, North Carolina. The shooter, 25-year-old Darius Nathaniel Sessoms, shot Hinnant at point-blank range before being arrested within 24 hours and charged with first-degree murder. The motive for the shooting remains unknown. On December 29, 2022, Sessoms entered an Alford plea, resulting in a life sentence without the possibility of parole. His girlfriend, Aolani Takemi Marie Pettit, was also charged as a felony accessory after the fact and received 18 months of probation. The case garnered significant media attention, particularly regarding claims of racial motivation, which Hinnant's family has publicly rejected.
Theories surrounding the murder of Cannon Hinnant include speculation about a potential racial motive behind the shooting, which has been publicly denied by Hinnant's family. Additionally, some community members believe that the crime may have been influenced by underlying tensions between the families involved. The swift arrest and conviction of Darius Sessoms have led to discussions about the broader implications of gun violence and child safety in neighborhoods.
The Tragic Murder of Cannon Hinnant
The Crime
On a warm summer evening in Wilson, North Carolina, the sound of children's laughter filled the air as five-year-old Cannon Blake Hinnant played outside with his two older sisters. It was August 9, 2020, a day that began like any other but ended in tragedy. At 5:30 p.m., young Cannon rode his bicycle onto the property of his next-door neighbor, Darius Nathaniel Sessoms. In an unthinkable act of violence, Sessoms, a 25-year-old man, approached the boy and shot him at point-blank range. The motive behind this brutal act remains unknown.
Emergency services responded swiftly, rushing Cannon to Wilson Medical Center. Despite their efforts, the little boy succumbed to his injuries, leaving a devastated family and community in mourning. Within 24 hours of the shooting, law enforcement had apprehended Sessoms, charging him with first-degree murder.
The Investigation and Arrests
The investigation into Cannon's murder swiftly moved forward. On September 22, Sessoms' girlfriend, Aolani Takemi Marie Pettit, found herself entangled in the case. Authorities charged her with felony accessory after the fact, believing she had a role in covering up the crime. As the legal proceedings began, the community watched closely, yearning for justice.
Legal Proceedings
Darius Sessoms faced formal indictment by a grand jury on December 22, 2021, solidifying the charges against him. His court date was set for January 26, 2022. By January, Sessoms stood in court, pleading not guilty to both first-degree murder and illegal possession of a firearm. During this time, prosecutors pursued the death penalty, underscoring the severity of his alleged crimes.
The Verdict and Sentencing
Ultimately, on December 29, 2022, Darius Sessoms entered an Alford plea. This legal maneuver allowed him to maintain his innocence while acknowledging that the prosecution possessed sufficient evidence for a conviction. Consequently, the court sentenced Sessoms to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Pettit, who had pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice, received a suspended sentence of 4 to 14 months, with 18 months of supervised probation.
A Political Storm
The murder of Cannon Hinnant ignited a political firestorm, particularly among conservative circles. Some individuals and media outlets argued that mainstream outlets, save for Fox News, shied away from reporting the case because it involved a black man killing a white child. However, investigations by Snopes confirmed that local and national media had, indeed, covered the tragic incident.
Social media users appropriated slogans from the anti-racist policing movement to champion Cannon's cause, but the family pushed back against these narratives. Cannon's mother took to Facebook, clarifying that her son's death was not racially motivated and imploring others to stop comparing it to the murder of George Floyd. Both parents stood firm in their belief that race played no role in the senseless act that took their son.
Remembering Cannon
In the wake of Cannon's death, communities rallied to remember and honor his short life. His funeral took place on August 13, 2020, a somber occasion for family and friends. To support the grieving family, Cannon's grandmother launched a GoFundMe campaign with an initial goal of $5,000. The generosity of strangers poured in, and by August 19, donations had exceeded $815,000.
Memorials sprang up in Cannon's honor. On August 14, 2020, Skeeter Tulloch from Lee County painted "Cannon's Life Matters" on a street, a poignant tribute to the young boy. On August 23, hundreds gathered in Kenly, North Carolina, to pay their respects. Attendees wore shirts that read "I Can't Ride / All Lives Matter" and participated in an all-day softball fundraiser the day before.
Sources
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Cannon Hinnant Murdered
Five-year-old Cannon Hinnant is shot and killed by neighbor Darius Sessoms while playing outside.
Suspect Arrested
Darius Sessoms is arrested within 24 hours of the shooting and charged with first-degree murder.
Accessory Arrested
Sessoms' girlfriend is arrested and charged with felony accessory after the fact.
Indictment
Darius Sessoms is formally indicted by a grand jury for first-degree murder.
Initial Court Date
Sessoms' initial court date is set; prosecutors announce they are seeking the death penalty.
Life Sentence
Darius Sessoms enters an Alford plea and is sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Girlfriend Sentenced
Sessoms' girlfriend pleads guilty to obstruction of justice and receives probation.
Cannon's Funeral
Funeral services for Cannon Hinnant are held, attended by family and community members.