The family of Zytina Mason-Brown, a 14-year-old girl from Washington, D.C., has received a measure of relief following the recent arrest in her killing. Police have detained a 17-year-old male suspect related to Mason-Brown’s death. Reports indicate the suspect was present in the apartment at the time of the fatal shooting.
Michelle Brown, Mason-Brown’s grandmother, expressed her feelings about the arrest: “I don’t want to say happy because it’s not a joyous occasion, I just wish we didn’t have to go through this, but I’m feeling satisfied that D.C. police did apprehend the suspect. And they did their job on this one.”
Zytina Mason-Brown, an eighth grader with aspirations to become a beautician and real estate agent, was killed on May 21, 2025. She was in an apartment at the Benning Courts Pentacle complex on Benning Road Northeast, across from Hechinger Mall, when the incident occurred.
Police initially reported the shooting as an accident, suggesting that Mason-Brown shot herself while making a video for social media. However, her family disputed this account.
In August 2025, the D.C. Office of the Chief Medical Examiner officially classified Mason-Brown’s death as a homicide. Dawna Cooke, Mason-Brown’s aunt, stated, “We knew that Zytina did not kill herself. And I really want to thank the Metropolitan Police Department for fighting so hard to come to the conclusion and get the suspect in custody.”
The family has expressed gratitude to the police for continuing the investigation and reaching a conclusion that could bring justice to the case.
Due to juvenile privacy laws, details concerning the 17-year-old suspect’s identity and upcoming court appearances remain confidential.