Family Of Fort Bragg Murder Suspects Say Teen Responsible

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — A Fayetteville mother and daughter are accused of murdering a Fort Bragg soldier, but should both of them be behind bars?

The family of both the murder suspects and the victim say no.

Joan Shannon, 35, and her 15-year-old daughter are charged with killing Maj. David Shannon. The Special Operations soldier was shot to death while he slept in his home on July 23.

Now, Joan Shannon's father is speaking out about the murder charges against his daughter.

Danny Blake, of Arkport, N.Y., said Joan Shannon could in no way be responsible for the murder; he believes his granddaughter is responsible.

Blake said he believes the 15-year-old shot her stepfather because he was trying to discipline her.

"When they were up here a couple of years ago, she complained how she hated her stepfather," Blake said of his granddaughter.

"The kids just don't want to listen and they want to do what they want to do and that's it. And they were having problems with her," he said.

Blake said the 15-year-old showed no remorse at her stepfather's funeral.

"She was having a ball. She was lovey dovey, kissing her boyfriend," he said.

Blake said his wife overheard an incriminating remark made by their granddaughter.

He said, "The reason why mom wasn't shot was because she's going to have to take the fall for it."

Blake said he has not spoken to Shannon, but his other daughter has.

"She said she told her that she was innocent, she didn't do it. She said her daughter did it," Blake said.

David Shannon's family also believes Joan Shannon did not kill her husband.

"The family feels that she is 99 percent sure that it is not her, but we don't know the circumstances," Ray Shannon, the victim's uncle said.

Blake believes his granddaughter did not act alone and that she possibly had help from her friends.

Joan Shannon is being held in the Cumberland County Jail without bail. Her daughter is being held at Cumberland County Regional Juvenile Detention Center.