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A man in North Carolina has been charged with the murder of a five-year-old boy after he shot at point-blank range on Sunday.
Darius Sessoms, 25, was arrested Monday by the Wilson Police Department after allegedly walking towards Cannon Hinnant, 5, and shooting him in the head.
The boy was standing outside his father’s house when Mr Sessoms killed him.
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According to local news broadcaster WRAL, Cannon saw seven and eight-year-old sisters’ murder.
Cannon had just learned how to spell his name and would have started with Kindergarten this year.
His mother told the Wilson Times that he was “just a loving child” that “had the biggest heart.”
“It’s devastating. No one would ever have to bury their children. No mother would have to go through this,” she said.
Mr Sessoms lives next door to Cannon’s family and had dinner with them earlier, according to neighbors.
“[Mr Sessoms and I] played together once and I never thought he would kill anyone, “Rachel Pipkin, one of Cannon’s cousin’s cousins, told CBS News. A mother now has to lie to her son to rest at 5 years of age which she should never have done. He will never be forgotten. “
According to a GoFundMe set up for the family, Mr Sessoms shot Cannon before riding his bike into Mr Sessoms’ yard. Police have not yet released any information about a motive.
“A beautiful 5 year old baby boy riding his bike was shot by his neighbor point blank in Wilson NC,” the GoFundMe read. “One minute he enjoys his life, the next he ends it all because he rode in his neighbor’s yard.”
Mr Seesoms fled the scene of the shooting with the car but was later arrested at a home in near Goldsboro.
He was charged Monday with first-degree murder, and is being held without restraint.
His first hearing is scheduled for Aug. 25.
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