Background: The 3000 block of Heber Springs Road North in Cleburne County, Arkansas (Google Maps). Inset: Dustin Cannon (Cleburne County Sheriff”s Office).
A man faces allegations of murdering his brother by firing an entire magazine of bullets, claiming his actions were in defense of his family against threats.
Authorities have charged 42-year-old Dustin Cannon with first-degree murder following the demise of Austin Cannon. The incident came to light when Arkansas law enforcement responded to a residence on Monday night.
Deputies from the Cleburne County Sheriff’s Office arrived at the scene on the 3000 block of Heber Springs Road North around 7:10 p.m., where they encountered the suspect and saw another man lying still.
The deceased, Austin Cannon, was found outside the house with gunshot wounds, according to the authorities. The victim suffered “multiple bullet wounds spanning from his torso to his neck,” as detailed in court records accessed by Jonesboro’s ABC and NBC affiliate KAIT. His exact age remains unspecified.
Detectives launched an investigation into the events, during which Dustin Cannon was questioned. He confessed to the shooting, allegedly stating that his brother had threatened to harm his wife and daughter.
The affidavit further elaborates, “Dustin claimed that Austin Cannon approached him aggressively, and upon Austin raising his fist, Dustin began firing,” providing insight into his motive.
The suspect is also said to have told investigators that he fired his .40-caliber gun, which held 21 rounds. “He stated that he shot all the rounds in the gun,” the detective in the court document wrote.
Austin Cannon is believed to have been shot while he was “standing on the back porch.” Once he fell to the floor, “he was shot several more times,” authorities said.
A woman witnessed the shooting, and she was also interviewed, KAIT reported. She “stated that Dustin was mad at Austin for leaving his family and not working,” and she “stated that Dustin had mentioned to her about his mother being ready to take Austin out of her will.”
Investigators searched Austin Cannon’s cellphone, and they reportedly found several profanity-laced messages from Dustin Cannon. Just minutes after the final message was sent, the shooting victim arrived at the suspect’s house, detectives said.
The suspect is a teacher in the Bald Knob School District. He is being held in the Cleburne County Detention Center on a $1 million bond.
