Death of 15-Year-Old D.C. Girl Now Ruled Homicide

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The death of a teenage girl in Northeast Washington, originally believed to be accidental, has now been ruled a homicide, according to D.C. police.

Incident Background

On May 21, 2025, 15-year-old Zytina Mason-Brown was fatally shot inside the Benning Courts Pentacle apartment complex on the 1700 block of Benning Road, NE, across from Hechinger Mall. At the time, investigators said it appeared she had accidentally shot herself while recording a social media video.

Zytina, an eighth grader, dreamed of becoming both a beautician and a real estate agent, her family said. The teen’s sudden death devastated her loved ones, who questioned the initial explanation given by authorities.

Case Reclassified as Homicide

Police now confirm that new evidence indicates Zytina’s death was not an accident. Detectives revealed that a 15-year-old boy was inside the apartment when the shooting occurred. He has since been arrested and charged with possession of an unregistered firearm and tampering with physical evidence.

At this time, he has not been charged with murder. However, police have officially reclassified Zytina’s death as a homicide, and the investigation remains active.

Family Speaks Out

In an exclusive interview with FOX 5, Zytina’s family described the past few months as both heartbreaking and infuriating.

“When it first occurred, I knew Zytina did not kill herself,” her aunt, Dawna Cooke, said. “We’ve been fighting and fighting and fighting, trying to get answers to what happened.”

Her grandmother, Michelle Brown, echoed those frustrations. “I’m more angry than anything else. It was senseless, and she had to die for no reason. The people who did this need to be held accountable.”

Community and Police Response

The Metropolitan Police Department is continuing to investigate the case and has asked for the public’s assistance. Officials are offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case.

Community leaders say Zytina’s death underscores the dangers of illegal firearms in the hands of young people and the urgent need for violence prevention efforts across the District.

Looking Ahead

As the investigation moves forward, Zytina’s family says they remain committed to seeking justice. For them, the reclassification of her death as a homicide is a painful but necessary step toward accountability.

Anyone with information is asked to contact D.C. police at (202) 727-9099 or text tips anonymously to 50411.