Deon Cannon, a 30-year-old resident of Washington, D.C., has been sentenced to 24 years in prison for a shooting incident involving a father and his six-year-old son. The incident occurred during Labor Day weekend in 2021 at Naylor Gardens on Terrace Road SE. This information was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.
Cannon was convicted on August 7, 2024, on multiple charges including assault with intent to kill while armed against a minor, assault with intent to kill while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon against a minor, and several firearm-related offenses. The trial took place in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. In addition to his prison sentence, Cannon will serve five years on supervised release as ordered by Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt.
The government's evidence revealed that around 5:40 p.m. on September 5, 2021, Cannon waited on the sidewalk at Terrace Road SE for the victim and his son to approach from a nearby playground. Cannon then fired two shots directly at them. In response, the father returned fire while another shooter emerged and fired an additional 17 rounds at the victim. The child managed to escape unharmed.
Cannon was apprehended later that day and has remained in custody since his arrest.
U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith praised the efforts of those involved in investigating the case from both the Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). They also acknowledged contributions from members of the United States Attorney’s Office including Assistant United States Attorney Jessica Ans, Paralegal Specialist Antoinette Sakamsa, Victim/Witness Program Specialist Jennifer Allen, Supervisory Victim/Witness Services Coordinator Katina Adams-Washington, as well as Assistant United States Attorneys Sara Matar and Mark Levy who prosecuted the case.