Jaykell Mason Pleads Guilty to Homicide of Terence Dantzler

Monday, June 29, 2026

WASHINGTON – Jaykell Mason, 26, of the District of Columbia, pleaded guilty last week in connection with a February 2020 deadly shooting and subsequent police chase that occurred in Northwest Washington, D.C., announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.  

Mason pleaded guilty June 26, 2026, to second-degree murder while armed and assault on a police officer while armed. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 2, 2026, before Judge Jason Park.  

The government’s evidence indicates that on the evening of Feb. 13, 2020, the defendant, Jaykell Mason, approached Terence Dantzler, in the 700 block of 8th Street NW. The two spoke briefly and then Mason raised a firearm to Dantzler’s head and fired once, striking Dantzler, who then fell to the ground. Mason then fired two more rounds into the Dantzler's body before fleeing on foot.  

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department intercepted Mason in the 1000 block of H Street NW. Mason fired upon the officers, who then returned fire, striking Mason in the hand. He was apprehended shortly thereafter.  

Dantzler was transported to a nearby hospital where he died of his injuries.  

Joining U.S. Attorney Pirro in the announcement was Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department.  

This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Wes Faulkner, Jr. and Peter Roman.