Felon heads back to prison for role in fatal shooting, robbery

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A Wilmington man has pleaded guilty for his role in a murder last summer.

Zeer N. Cannady, 22, was scheduled for trial today, but last week he pleaded guilty to robbery with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury. The charges stem from a June 13, 2014, robbery in Garden Lake Estates. Prosecutors say Cannady was one of three people who entered Aaron McGhee’s home, robbed the five people inside, shot and injured one person and shot and killed McGhee. In exchange for his guilty plea, DA Ben David says a first-degree murder charge against Cannady was dropped.

According to a news release from the DA’s office, a second suspect, Markee George, was also identified and arrested for these crimes. His charges were later dismissed when it was determined that he was misidentified by the witness. Two of the robbery victims refused to cooperate with law enforcement and identify the suspects in this case. The remaining two suspects have not been charged, the DA’s office says.

A judge last week sentenced Cannady to between 8.75 and 12.6 years in prison.

Prosecutors say the plea was negotiated and accepted with the support of McGhee’s family and the cooperating victims in the case.

NC Department of Public Safety records show Cannady’s previous record includes convictions for drug possession, robbery and resisting and officer.