‘This seems to be personal.’ Hurtsboro man shot to death likely knew his killer, sheriff says

The 63-year-old Hurtsboro, Alabama, man who died Monday from multiple gunshot wounds likely knew his killer, Russell County Sheriff Heath Taylor said at a press conference Monday.

Taylor said police were called to the scene on the side of Shady Grove Lane, a dirt road off Shady Grove Road in Hurtsboro, around 10:40 a.m. Monday and found Randolph Cannon dead.

A family member had reportedly found Cannon a half a mile from his home after he took his dog out for a walk along the road earlier that morning and did not return, Taylor said.

He was pronounced dead at the scene of the shooting at 2:39 p.m., according to Russell County Coroner Arhur Sumbry Jr.

Cannon had gunshot wounds to his head and body, Sumbry said.

Taylor said Cannon does not appear to have had any enemies but the general public should not be worried about a potential killer on the loose.

“This seems to be personal,” Taylor said. “I think whoever is going to be our person of interest or shooter is probably going to turn out to be somebody that knew Mr. Randy.”

There are a couple persons of interest in the case but no suspects at this point, Taylor said.

Despite Cannon’s residence being the only one on Shady Grove Lane, Taylor said witnesses have come forward stating they heard gunshots around the same time Cannon would have been shot.

Cannon’s body has been sent to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for an autopsy, scheduled for Tuesday, the coroner said.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

This story was originally published December 30, 2019 at 4:44 PM.