Dion Thompson was sentenced to life plus 30 years on Aug. 5 for the fatal shooting of off-duty Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department Sergeant Tony Mason Jr.
Thompson, 27, appeared before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Cynthia H. Jones and was represented by defense attorney Staci Pipkin. He was convicted April 30, 2026, of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder.
Judge Jones imposed a life sentence for first-degree murder and an additional 30 years. The sentences for the remaining convictions will run concurrently.
The charges stemmed from the Nov. 4, 2017, shooting of Mason, 40, and his girlfriend on the 2800 block of Elgin Avenue. Mason and his girlfriend were sitting inside a vehicle when multiple shots were fired at them. Mason was killed, while his girlfriend survived her injuries.
The courtroom was packed with relatives and supporters of both Mason and Thompson during sentencing.
A victim-impact statement written by Mason’s daughter was read aloud in court on her behalf. She said she was very young when her father died and never had the opportunity to know him. She described the sadness and pain caused by his death, including knowing that he would never attend father-daughter dances.
Mason’s girlfriend, who was also wounded in the shooting, addressed the court. She said the incident affected her ability to sleep for nine years and expressed hope that the sentencing would provide some closure.
She said she lost nearly everything following the shooting and experienced homelessness. She also said she remains frightened by fireworks because they remind her of gunshots.
No clear motive for the shooting was established though Thompson’s behavior had been characterized as paranoiac.
