On the evening of April 26, 2025, 27-year-old African American male Robert Sessoms was fatally shot in Wilmington, North Carolina. The incident occurred around 5:00 p.m. in the 500 block of Minnow Way, within the Smith Creek Village Townhomes. According to the Wilmington Police Department, Sessoms had gone to the residence to pick up his nearly two-year-old son, Preston, from the child's mother. An argument ensued between Sessoms and 42-year-old Aaron Metcalf, a resident of Leland, North Carolina. During the altercation, Metcalf allegedly fired multiple gunshots at Sessoms. Despite immediate life-saving efforts by responding officers and EMS personnel, Sessoms succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
Following the shooting, Aaron Metcalf was arrested and charged with voluntary manslaughter. He made his first court appearance on April 30, 2025, in New Hanover County Court. If convicted, Metcalf faces up to 17 years in prison. The case remains under investigation, and authorities have urged anyone with information to contact the Wilmington Police Department.
Family members of Robert Sessoms have expressed deep grief and frustration over the circumstances of his death. They contend that the shooting was intentional and have called for the charges against Metcalf to be elevated to murder. Sessoms' sister, Kiana Terry, stated, "He wanted to murder my brother. And he did murder my brother." The family also revealed that Metcalf had previously threatened Sessoms' life about a month prior to the incident. Sessoms was described as a devoted father who worked as a delivery truck driver and aspired to start a trucking business with his sister.
In the wake of the tragedy, a GoFundMe campaign was organized by Kiana Terry to assist with funeral expenses, as Sessoms did not have life insurance. The campaign highlighted the unexpected and violent nature of his death and the financial burden faced by the family. Funeral services for Sessoms were held on May 6, 2025, at the Union Missionary Baptist Church in Wilmington, following a visitation on May 5 at John H. Shaw's Son Funeral Home.
The Wilmington community continues to mourn the loss of Robert Sessoms, a young African American man whose life was cut short under tragic circumstances. His family remains steadfast in their pursuit of justice, seeking accountability for what they believe was a deliberate act of violence.
