A North Carolina man has been indicted on a charge of first-degree murder in the death of a little boy who was killed while playing in his yard.
Darius Sessoms, 25, is accused of shooting 5-year-old Cannon Hinnant in the head while the boy was riding his bike in front of his home on August 9, 2020.
Witnesses told police that Sessoms walked up to the boy and shot him in the head "at point-blank range." The incident happened in front of Hinnant's two sisters, ages 7 and 8.
Hinnant was rushed to the hospital where he died.
Sessoms, who lives next door to Hinnant's father, was arrested the following day.
Authorities have not revealed a potential motive. Sessom's parents have said they believe their son was on drugs and hallucinating when he killed Hinnant.
"We think he had gotten hold of something. He was hallucinating. We tried to get the gun out of his hand, but he was so strong. He was so strong," Sessom's mother Carolyn told News & Observer.
Hinnant's heartbroken mother, Bonny Waddell, wants justice.
"I want the death penalty. And I'm going to seek it," Waddell told WRAL. "My baby didn't deserve this."
Waddell said she's seeking justice not just for her son, but for her daughters as well.
"This man took my girls when he took my baby. They know he's in a better place," she added.
Sessoms is due back in court on January 24.
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