Cannon Hinnant Coverage

'They were just playing in the yard': Family holds vigil in honor of 5-year-old boy shot and killed in Wilson

Family and friends gather for a vigil Wednesday evening to honor Cannon Hinnant, a 5-year-old boy shot and killed on Aug. 9, 2020, in Wilson.

Carly Haynes, WRAL reporter & Jessica Patrick, WRAL senior multiplatform producer

Darius Sessoms gets life sentence in Cannon Hinnant murder

Darius Sessoms agreed to an Alford plea on Thursday in the first-degree murder of 5-year-old Cannon Hinnant.

Wilson man sentenced to life in prison for shooting 5-year-old neighbor in head

A judge sentenced the Darius Sessoms to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The plea allows Sessoms to avoid the death penalty for the August 2020 shooting of 5-year-old Cannon Hinnant.

Matt Talhelm, WRAL reporter

Death penalty an option in murder case for 5-year-old Cannon Hinnant

A Wilson County court decided Thursday that the state can seek death penalty against the suspect in the murder of a 5-year-old child in August 2020.

Prosecutors ask for death penalty for suspect in 5-year-old's shooting death

Darius Sessoms could face the death penalty for his role in the shooting death of a 5-year-old neighbor.

State can seek death penalty against suspect in Cannon Hinnant's murder

A Wilson County court will decide on Thursday whether a man will face the death penalty for killing a 5-year-old child, his neighbor, in August 2020.

Mother of 5-year-old Wilson boy killed calling for new law to give death penalty to all child killers

The mother of a 5-year-old Wilson boy shot and killed outside his home is calling for anyone accused of killing of a child to automatically face the death penalty.

Matt Talhelm, WRAL reporter

Wilson man accused of killing 5-year-old boy appears in court

Darius Sessoms faced a judge for the first review of his case since the state decided to seek the death penalty. One of his attorneys is new to the defense, so they will get more time to go through the evidence.

'I pray he gets the death penalty,' Family of Cannon Hinnant speaks after Rule 24 hearing

"I pray he gets the death penalty. We will fight for that till the end. That's what we're hoping for," said Bonny Parker, Cannon Hinnant's mother. "It would mean the closest we can get to justice for Cannon." ​​

State will seek death penalty for man accused of killing 5-year-old Wilson boy

The state will seek the death penalty against a man accused of killing a 5-year-old Wilson boy. Darius Sessoms, 25, pleaded not guilty to the charges of first-degree murder in court on Tuesday.

Keenan Willard, WRAL eastern North Carolina reporter

Wilson man indicted by grand jury after fatal shooting of 5-year-old Cannon Hinnant

More than a year after 5-year-old Cannon Hinnant was shot while playing outside his father's house, a neighbor has been indicted.

Valentine's Day cards help slain boy's sisters show how much everyone still loves him

After 5-year-old Cannon Hinnant was shot to death outside of his home last summer, people from all over the country expressed their shock and sadness. Now, his two sisters are asking those people to remember him on Valentine's Day.

Sisters of slain Wilson 5-year-old ask for Valentine's Day cards in his honor

After 5-year-old Cannon Hinnant was shot to death outside of his home last summer, people from all over the country expressed their shock and sadness. Now, his two sisters are asking those people to remember him on Valentine's Day.

Indira Eskieva, WRAL Eastern North Carolina reporter

New playground will remember 5-year-old boy shot in Wilson

The family of a 5-year-old boy who was shot and killed last summer is helping the City of Wilson build a playground in his honor.

Bryan Mims, WRAL reporter

Girlfriend of suspect in shooting of Wilson boy arrested, charged

Wilson Police on Tuesday night said Aolani Takemi Marie Pettit, 21, of Wilson, was charged with felony accessory after the fact. Pettit received a $250,000 secured bond.

Second arrest made in August shooting death of Cannon Hinnant

WRAL's Leslie Moreno spoke exclusively Tuesday night with Bonny Waddell after news that a second arrest has been made in the shooting death of 5-year-old Cannon Hinnant.

Girlfriend of suspect in August death of 5-year-old Cannon Hinnant charged with helping shooter escape

A second person has been arrested and charged in the shooting death of a Wilson 5-year-old back in August.

Jason O. Boyd, Multiplatform producer

Family of Cannon Hinnant holding celebration of his life

The family of Cannon Hinnant, the 5-year-old boy shot and killed while playing outside his father's home on Aug. 9, will celebrate his life Saturday.

Jessica Patrick, WRAL multiplatform producer

Family of Cannon Hinnant calling on community to support family who lost two children in floodwaters

A grieving family is making a plea for support, not for themselves, but for another family suffering a tragedy.

Julian Grace, WRAL anchor/reporter

Friends, family, others gather to remember Cannon Hinnant

Family, friends and members of the Kenly community gathered Wednesday night to remember the life of 5-year-old Cannon Hinnant.

WRAL News

Raw video: Justice for Cannon Hinnant vigil held in Johnston County

WRAL photojournalist John Payne has video of the vigil held Wednesday for Cannon Hinnant.

Raw video: Justice for Cannon Hinnant vigil

WRAL photojournalist John Payne has video of Wednesday's vigil for Cannon Hinnant.

Vigil held to remember life of Cannon Hinnant

Friends, family and residents gathered in Kenly to remember Cannon Hinnant, who was shot and killed in Wilson.

Police warn public about false social media posts circulating about shooting death of Wilson 5-year-old

Wilson police are warning about fake social media posts, spreading false information about the shooting death of 5-year-old Cannon Hinnant. The department shared this message on Facebook, asking people to check the official Wilson Police Department page, before sharing any social media posts.

'My baby didn't deserve this:' Cannon Hinnant's mother shares heartbreak after 5-year-old's murder

Cannon Hinnant's mother, Bonny Waddell, said she is distraught, yet hopeful.

Rosalia Fodera, WRAL multimedia journalist