A father of two recently diagnosed with cancer is killed after he is shot inside his Sharon home.  

As the hunt for his killer continues, 21 News has learned that Sharon Police Detectives do not believe the crime was random.

Yellow crime scene tape roped off the victim's home at 1239 Cedar Avenue, along with most of the street in Sharon where he lived with his father.  Police were called to the home at 5:32 AM on Thursday and when they arrived they found the victim critically injured with a gunshot wound.

24-year-old Khalil Hopson was taken by ambulance to St. Elizabeth's Trauma Center in Youngstown where he died a short time later.

Family members say they believe Hopson was sleeping on the couch downstairs when he cried out for help.  His father who was asleep upstairs rushed to his aid.

The victim's dog "Blue" was also shot and possibly lost a leg.

Terrence Crumby, Hopson's cousin and the father of the victim's closest friend who was also killed by gun violence six years ago was shaken to his core, "Khalil was a very, very good person.  A good sports fanatic.  He loved people and one person that he really loved was my son who was killed six years ago, Leeangelo Crumby Ford."  (Ford was killed according to his father at a party when someone decided to bring a gun).

What makes this tragedy even more heartbreaking, the family says Khalil Hopson had just learned a few days ago that he was suffering from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.  He had a tumor in his neck and was going to start treatment next week.

The tragic irony according to his Grandmother Dorothy Bridges -- doctors expected Hopson to "survive" cancer.  But she says he didn't stand a chance against what she calls a brutal attack where he believed he was safest -- at home.

Now his family tells 21 News they just want justice to be done so that this young father and loved one can rest in peace.

If you have any information that could help investigators with this case please contact Sharon Police Detectives at 724-983-3210 or Mercer County's 911 Center at 724-662-6110.