5-Year-Old Shot In North Carolina Riding His Bike, Suspect Knew Victim

At just 5 years old, Cannon Hinnant was shot and killed on Sunday. The boy was riding his bike in front of his Wilson, North Carolina, home when he was murdered, and he apparently knew the suspect.

The police have arrested suspect Darius N. Sessoms. The 25-year-old was charged with first-degree murder with no bond, WRAL reports.

According to Cannon’s mother, he was playing outside with his sisters, ages 7 and 8, when Sessoms shot him in the head. Cannon was taken to Wilson Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

The Hinnant family says they’ve known Sessoms for many years. The suspect is apparently the next-door neighbor of Cannon’s father, Austin Hinnant. The two had dinner the night before the shooting and Sessoms was seen at Austin’s house again on Sunday before the shooting.

“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,” said Rachel Pipkin, a cousin of Cannon’s mother, told WNCN.

Neighbor Doris Lybrand witnessed the shooting. She said Sessoms intentionally pointed the gun at Cannon’s head and shot him before running back to his home. The shocking event had her in disbelief.

"My first reaction was he's playing with the kids," Lybrand said. "For a second, I thought, 'That couldn't happen.' People don't run across the street and kill kids."

Cannon's funeral will happen on Thursday. A candlelight vigil is set for Friday at 8 p.m. on the steps of the Wilson County Courthouse.