The case of the off-duty Washington, DC, cop who was killed while sitting in his parked car with his date has finally been solved after nearly seven years. Investigators have identified chronic thief Dion Thompson, 24, as the alleged shooter of Sgt. Tony Anthony Mason Jr. and his date in November 2017. Thompson reportedly believed that the couple was there to rob him or seek revenge for his string of robberies, prompting him to drive up next to their car, fire at them, and then flee the scene. Mason was killed in the ambush, but his date survived the attack. Thompson remained at large until a tip in early 2023 led investigators to him, while he was already behind bars on unrelated charges.
Police Chief Pamela A. Smith expressed relief that the arrest of Thompson has provided closure in the painful mystery surrounding Sgt. Mason’s tragic death. She commended the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies that led to the apprehension of the suspect. Thompson, who was only 18 at the time of the killing, allegedly confided in a tipster that he had shot someone in a parked car but did not know the victims’ identities. He claimed that he felt they were following him to rob him or retaliate against him. After firing 16 rounds at the couple, Thompson fled the scene, leaving Mason dead and his date injured.
The couple, who had been dating for only a month, were simply spending time together, talking, drinking alcohol, and listening to music in the parked car. Thompson later learned from news reports that his victim was an off-duty police officer, leading him to brag to his brother about the murder. Despite references to two others, known as “Man-Man” and “Chub”, who may have been involved in the shooting, as of now, Thompson is the only one to be charged in the case. He abandoned his car in Philadelphia after the shooting and was later apprehended while serving time in federal prison for unrelated gun and drug offenses.
Sgt. Mason, a 17-year veteran of Washington’s Metropolitan Police Department, was not in uniform or armed at the time of the attack. The charging documents also mention Thompson’s brother, who was allegedly informed of the murder after the fact. While one of the other individuals involved in the shooting later died in a car crash, no one else has been charged in connection with the case. This case marks the first prosecution for Baltimore State’s Attorney Ivan Bates’s new cold case unit, highlighting the significance of closing cold cases and bringing perpetrators to justice.
The arrest of Dion Thompson in relation to Sgt. Mason’s murder serves as a testament to the dedication and collaborative efforts within the law enforcement community. While the pain of loss and the memories of that tragic day cannot be erased, there is solace in knowing that the individual responsible for the crime is finally facing justice. Thompson’s paranoia and criminal behavior ultimately led to the senseless killing of an innocent police officer, underscoring the importance of thorough investigations and diligent pursuit of justice. The successful resolution of this cold case underscores the resilience and determination of law enforcement agencies in bringing closure to families and communities affected by violent crimes.
