Man who killed retired police captain David Dorn during the 2020 summer riots sentenced to life in prison

The man who shot and killed retired St. Louis Police Captain David Dorn during the 2020 summer riots was sentenced to life in prison without parole on Wednesday.

In July, a jury found Stephan Cannon, 26, guilty of first-degree murder and five additional charges, including armed criminal action, first-degree robbery, two counts of armed criminal action, and first-degree burglary.

In addition to life in prison, Judge Theresa Counts Burke gave Cannon the maximum sentence on all five additional charges for a total of 30 years to be served consecutively.

On the evening of the shooting, Dorn was at Lee's Pawn Shop, trying to protect the establishment from looters and rioters who were "protesting" over the death of George Floyd.

Dorn's widow, Ann Wood-Dorn, stated that her husband "became a victim of the very thing he fought against."

Lisa Dorn, David Dorn's daughter, said he was "murdered by the type of young man my father tried to save."

Dorn's son, Brian Powell, stated that his father encouraged him and his sibling to volunteer to coach and mentor others.

"We saw kids just like Stephan Cannon, and we tried our best to help as many kids as we can," Powell said. "We used to beat ourselves up and my mom, she said, 'You can't save everyone.'"

Cannon apologized to the family but stated that he was innocent. According to KSDK, he told the judge that "this ain't justice."

Cannon's attorney argued that police never uncovered forensic evidence linking Cannon to the crime scene or getaway car. His attorney described him as a "loving father and loving son."

The case against Cannon was based on testimony from the getaway driver, Mark Jackson, and a woman who lived with Cannon. Both individuals stated they recognized Cannon from the surveillance images captured the evening of the shooting.

Cannon's mother, Sholonda Harris, admitted her son was at the pawnshop that evening but that he did not loot or murder Dorn. Instead, she insisted her son was "in the wrong place at the wrong time."

"I don't understand why an innocent young man has to go to jail for a murder he did not commit," said Harris. "I want justice for my son, just as well as they want justice for Capt. Dorn. I'm sorry that happened to that Captain, but my son is innocent. He wouldn't harm anybody."

Cannon's mother claimed that it was Jackson who committed the murder. The getaway driver was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to five years of probation.