Bald Knob community reacts to teacher being accused of killing brother

BALD KNOB, Ark.- It’s been two days since a Bald Knob High School teacher was arrested as part of a homicide investigation. 42-year-old Dustin Cannon was arrested in Cleburne County and is facing a first-degree murder charge after authorities said he admitted to shooting and killing his brother on Monday.

The Bald Knob School District confirmed in a post that Cannon has been placed on administrative leave.

FOX 16 News spoke with Leicea Humes, a sophomore attending Bald Knob High School, about the incident. 

“When I found out, I cried about it too because it was shocking,” Humes said.

Humes added that he was everybody’s favorite teacher. 

“Everybody loved him because he was really chill,” Humes said. “I mean, you could just hang out with him, and he would hang out with you.”

Cannon allegedly told deputies that his brother, Austin Cannon, threatened to kill his wife and daughter. Police said the feud continued over text, then to Cannon’s home, where detectives found 18 spent shell casings on the back porch.

Heath Allgood said many are wondering if it was an act of self-defense or cruelty. 

“If he had to do it, you know he had to do it if he didn’t, you know, it’s crazy to think about really,” Allgood said. 

Allgood’s nephew attends Bald Knob High and said many in the town are wondering what really happened and if Cannon will ever return to Bald Knob High.

“All I’ve heard was ‘Oh, he’s such a great guy, he’s our favorite teacher, he’s the best.’ Preston, my nephew, said everybody said that” Allgood said.