Life Sentence for Killer of Retired St. Louis Police Captain

Life Sentence for Killer of Retired St. Louis Police Captain
Stephan Cannon in a mugshot. St. Louis Police Department
The Associated Press
Updated:
0:00

ST. LOUIS—A 26-year-old man was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison for killing a retired St. Louis police captain as he tried to stop a pawn shop from being looted during riots over the death of George Floyd two years ago.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the life term was mandatory after Stephan Cannon, of Glasgow Village, was convicted in July of first-degree murder in the death of 77-year-old David Dorn.

Cannon also was sentenced to an additional 30 years for robbery, burglary, and three counts of armed criminal action.

Dorn was a friend of the pawn shop’s owner. He showed up at the north St. Louis business as it was being ransacked on June 2, 2020.

David Dorn, a 77-year-old retired St. Louis, Missouri police officer. (Scott Bandle/Suburban Journals/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)
David Dorn, a 77-year-old retired St. Louis, Missouri police officer. Scott Bandle/Suburban Journals/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP

His death drew attention nationwide because it occurred amid riots and protests across the country in response to George Floyd’s death.

Across St. Louis that night, Dorn and four officers were shot, authorities were pelted with rocks and fireworks, and 55 businesses were burglarized or damaged.

“Our father was a good cop, but more importantly, he was a good man,” his daughter, Lisa Dorn, said to the court.

Cannon told the family he was “sorry for their loss” but denied being the shooter. His attorneys said they planned to appeal.