Mother Refuses to Give Up Hope 12 Years After Son's Unsolved Murder

A Mother's Unwavering Resolve

Every morning for the past 12 years, Josefina Cannon has woken up with the same mission: to keep her son's memory alive and find his killer. Sean Cannon was 29 when he was shot and killed on Oct. 25, 2013, while visiting a friend who was preparing to move out of town, and his mother says "I cannot stop speaking my son's name, and I cannot stop seeking and asking for the public's help."

The shooting happened around 1:30 a.m. near the intersection of Aganier Avenue and West Olmos Street, close to Edison High School. Sean was headed to a friend's house when someone in a white SUV opened fire, hitting him several times before he later died in the hospital from his injuries. The case remains unsolved.

She described Sean as kind, noble and free-spirited—someone who loved to make people laugh and enjoyed being around others. The devastating phone call that changed everything still haunts her. "I received a call after the shooting telling her to go to the hospital. There, she learned her son had died. 'I was quite devastated,' she said. 'I don't remember. I still have amnesia with that particular day.'"

Clues Without Closure

Cannon said investigators have identified suspects, but they still need someone to come forward with information to move the case forward. Over the years, police have released details about potential evidence, including witnesses reporting seeing a late 90s model Ford Expedition leaving the scene. San Antonio police have also asked the public to identify a young blonde woman who investigators said may have ties to Sean's shooting death.

The lack of resolution has taken a profound toll on the family. The lack of closure has compounded her grief, and not knowing what happened has been gut-wrenching. As Cannon explained, "It's never closure. It's always something that I carry." Sean's sister Monica Meeker echoes the family's desperation: "Losing your only sibling is a horrible thing, and I hope if anybody out there knows something that they'll come forward."

A Community's Silent Witnesses

The case represents a troubling pattern in San Antonio, where numerous families continue searching for answers in unsolved murders. Sean's story mirrors countless others—families left to navigate grief while pleading with a community that may hold the key to justice. "That is the only hope that I have: that someone, somewhere, will touch their heart and come forward and give the information that's needed so that this case can be solved," Cannon said.

The investigation continues to rely on public assistance. San Antonio police urge anyone with information about Sean Cannon's killing to contact the department or Crime Stoppers. There is a Crime Stoppers reward for anybody who has information that could lead to an arrest in the case, and tips can be left at 210-224-7867.

The Enduring Power of a Mother's Love

While justice would not bring her son back, Cannon said it would offer some peace. Her advocacy extends beyond her own case—she has become a voice for gun safety reform and supports other grieving families. The years have not dimmed her determination; if anything, they have strengthened her resolve to ensure Sean's death was not in vain.

For Josefina Cannon, speaking her son's name isn't just about keeping his memory alive—it's about believing that somewhere in San Antonio, someone knows something that could finally bring answers to a mother who has waited over a decade for justice. Her hope rests on the possibility that compassion will eventually overcome silence, and that the community will help her find the peace that has eluded her family for 12 long years.