On the evening of January 27, 2024, tragedy struck the streets of Bristol when two innocent teenagers, Mason Rist, 15, and Max Dixon, 16, were brutally murdered in what authorities have described as a case of mistaken identity. This horrific incident unfolded as the boys were simply heading out for pizza, unaware of the vengeful intentions of their attackers.
A jury at Bristol Crown Court recently delivered guilty verdicts against five individuals involved in the double murder, highlighting the shocking nature of the events and the prolonged emotional toll on the victims' families. Among the convicted were Riley Tolliver, 18, and Antony Snook, 45, along with three teenagers aged 15, 16, and 17. Each was found guilty of murder or manslaughter following a six-week trial, where evidence showed the group chased the boys down before launching their savage assault with machetes.
According to the prosecution, Mason and Max were not even connected to the earlier incident, which had sparked the group’s desire for revenge. Before the attack, Mason and Max had come across Snook and the others multiple times, during which the attackers mistakenly identified them as the perpetrators of a vandalism incident involving broken windows of a rival’s house.
Det Supt Gary Haskins from Avon and Somerset Police stated, "They are beautiful boys, going about their business, in their own community when they were senselessly attacked by individuals for no reason." The boys were tragically caught up in the crossfire of long-standing neighborhood rivalries, illustrating the devastating consequences of gang violence.
The planning of this revenge was chillingly detailed. The group first drove around Knowle West for several minutes before spotting Mason and Max. The Audi Q2, driven by Snook, provided mobility during the hunt, making clear the level of premeditation involved. Eyewitness accounts detailed how the boys ran for their lives, but with weapons as fearsome as machetes, the outcome was tragically predictable.
Eyewitness and surveillance footage captured the harrowing attack, lasting barely more than half a minute but resulting in fatal injuries. Mason and Max were chased down two separate streets, pursued by their assailants wielding two different machetes, one of which measured over 41 centimeters long. This overwhelming brutality shocked the community and sparked widespread sorrow and outrage.
Max and Mason were said to be inseparable friends, both hailing from the nearby areas and having known each other since nursery school. Their families described them as bright, caring individuals with promising futures cut short by inexplicable violence. After the verdict was announced, the boys’ families entered the courtroom filled with emotion—one mother remarked, “It is impossible to put it [the loss] under words.” They described their children as integral parts of their lives, now replaced by incomprehensible silence and sorrow.
“These dangerous individuals took away our son, brother, nephew, uncle, and grandchild. We must navigate the rest of our lives without our missing puzzle piece,” wept Mason’s family, emphasizing the void left behind.
Max’s family embraced each other after the verdicts, reflecting on his character. “Max was funny, kind, and caring—a huge part of our family and incredibly beloved by his friends. Our six-week ordeal has been emotionally draining. Today’s outcome doesn’t change the fact two families go home without their boys,” they said, sharing memories of joyful moments and the unbreakable bond the boys shared.
Finally, Snook and his accomplices’ actions have sparked conversations about violence among youth and the nature of gang-related crime rooted deeply within neighborhoods. The Avona and Somerset Police have pledged to continue their efforts focused on addressing the broader issues surrounding street violence and fears unique to the communities they serve.
Both families have been vocal about the need for societal change, emphasizing how local communities can be destroyed by misplaced loyalties and gang rivalries. "The Crown Prosecution Service worked closely with our colleagues at Avon and Somerset Police to build our case. All five defendants were jointly responsible for the murders of both Max and Mason," stated Vicky Cook, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS South West.
Alerting the broader public about the dangers of knife crime, Cook highlighted the consequences as tragic and heartbreaking, reinforcing the idea of community wellbeing. The loss of two innocent lives has become emblematic of the issues affecting young people across the UK.
Max and Mason will always be remembered as vibrant and lively youth, emblematic of what many young teens experience. Their tragic mistake will not divide their memories from the communities they hailed from or the love their families share. Community vigils and memorials serve as poignant reminders of the need for compassion and resolution against the tide of violence.
