Teacher guns down brother he said threatened to kill wife, daughter, AR cops say

A high school teacher is accused of firing at least 18 shots at his brother, killing him, according to Arkansas authorities and news reports.

Dustin Cannon, 42, is now charged with first-degree murder following the violent outburst Oct. 20 in Ida, according to the Cleburne County Sheriff’s Office.

Bald Knob Public Schools did not identify Cannon in its social media post but said Oct. 21 a teacher had been arrested and placed on administrative leave.

Deputies were dispatched to a home for a report of a shooting and found the body of Austin Cannon, according to a news release. He was identified as the brother of Dustin Cannon, who is accused of firing the fatal shots, the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported.

Dustin Cannon surrendered to authorities, telling deputies he repeatedly shot his brother because he “threatened to kill his wife and daughter,” KARK reported, citing an affidavit. He said when his brother raised his fist, he started shooting.

Detectives found 18 spent shell casings, with Dustin Cannon telling investigators he believed his magazine containing 21 rounds was full, according to the affidavit obtained by KAIT.

“He stated that he shot all the rounds in the gun,” Detective Lt. Jeff Bittle told KAIT.

Deputies said that even after his brother fell to the ground while standing on the back porch, Dustin Cannon continued firing, the White County Citizen reported.

Bald Knob Public Schools confirmed to the publication its social media post was about Dustin Cannon, who taught biology and science.

“When I found out, I cried about it too because it was shocking,” Leicea Humes, a sophomore at Bald Knob High School, told KARK.

The sheriff’s office said the 42-year-old accused shooter was jailed in the Cleburne County Detention Center with a $1 million bond.

Cleburne County is about a 60-mile drive north from Little Rock.