A 17-year-old boy has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with the death of a 14-year-old girl who was fatally shot inside a Washington, D.C., residence in 2025.
The victim, identified as Zytina Mason-Brown, was allegedly filming TikTok videos when the shooting occurred. Authorities said the investigation into her death lasted more than a year before charges were filed against the teenage suspect.
Police Responded to Fatal Shooting
Police were called to a residence in the 1700 block of Benning Road on May 21, 2025, following reports of a shooting.
When officers arrived, they found Mason-Brown unconscious and not breathing after suffering a critical gunshot wound. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
The District of Columbia’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner later ruled her death a homicide.
Witness Account Changed During Investigation
According to information presented during court proceedings, the suspect was 15 years old at the time of the shooting.
Investigators were initially told that Mason-Brown had accidentally shot herself while handling a gun. A witness who was in the room reportedly supported that version of events at first.
However, the witness later provided investigators with a different account. The updated statement alleged that Mason-Brown had been recording TikTok videos when the suspect began dancing near her. After she pushed him away, the witness claimed that he shot her.
Authorities also arrested the witness after investigators determined that false information had allegedly been provided during the investigation.
17-Year-Old Arrested More Than a Year Later
After an investigation lasting more than a year, police arrested the suspect on August 26. The 17-year-old was charged with second-degree murder while armed in connection with Mason-Brown’s death.
The case remains a major development in the investigation into the fatal shooting of the Washington, D.C., teenager.
