Topic overview
In brief
- Dion Thompson was convicted of the 2017 murder of D.C. Metro Police Sgt. Tony Mason Jr.
- Thompson was sentenced to life plus 33 years in prison for his role in the crime.
- The case highlights the long pursuit of justice for Sgt. Mason's family and community.
Summary
In Baltimore, Maryland, a significant legal development occurred when Dion Thompson was sentenced to life plus 33 years in prison for the murder of D.C. Metro Police Sgt. Tony Mason Jr. The crime took place in November 2017, when Mason, who was off duty and unarmed, was shot while sitting in a parked car with a woman he was dating. Nearly nine years later, Thompson was convicted of first-degree murder, conspiracy, and second-degree attempted murder, marking a pivotal moment in a long-standing cold case that had deeply affected the community and Mason's family.
Thompson, who was only 18 at the time of the shooting, was already serving time in federal prison for unrelated drug and gun charges when he was arrested in 2024. His conviction was the result of a thorough investigation that involved multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Baltimore Police Department, the FBI, and the ATF. Prosecutors described Thompson as the leader of a gang known as "The Slickest Ones," indicating that the murder was part of a broader pattern of gang-related violence.