Malik Mason: Georgia man killed unarmed best friend in front of minor amid spat over social media post referring to him as 'a rat'

Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.

GEORGIA, UNITED STATES: A 27-year-old man from Georgia has been sentenced to spend the remainder of his life in prison for the murder of his friend. 

Malik Jeremiah Mason fatally shot the 25-year-old victim during a dispute over a social media post that labeled the shooter as a "rat." 

Douglas County Superior Court Judge Cynthia Adams issued the sentence on Monday, mandating that Mason serve a life sentence in addition to 16 years for the 2020 killing of Cha’leb Christopher Brown, as per Law&Crime.

Cops found victim lying on the ground and bleeding

As per the Douglas County District Attorney's Office, on November 6, 2020, law enforcement responded to an emergency call reporting a shooting at an apartment complex in the 100 block of Ravenwood Court. 

Upon reaching the scene, first responders discovered the victim, later identified as Cha'leb Christopher Brown, lying on the ground and bleeding.

He appeared to have sustained a single gunshot wound to the neck. Despite the efforts of emergency medical workers, Brown succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Witnesses at the scene immediately identified the victim's friend, Mason, as the shooter. 

During the trial, several individuals testified that they had witnessed Mason shooting and killing Brown.

What happened before the deadly shooting?

According to the newly released statement, Mason and his girlfriend arrived at the scene a few minutes before the shooting, engaging in a conversation with the victim in the parking lot of an apartment complex. 

The discussion turned heated between Mason's girlfriend and the victim, centering around a social media post labeling Mason as "a rat" and suggesting he was an informant for law enforcement. 

Prosecutors emphasized that Mason deliberately shot his friend, even with the knowledge that a minor child was present at the scene and witnessed the incident.

Malik Jeremiah Mason was arrested in Alabama

After the murder, Mason and his girlfriend returned to his vehicle and fled the scene. Authorities managed to locate Mason in Alabama a few days later, where he was apprehended. 

In an unusual turn of events, Mason addressed the court during his sentencing hearing, referring to Brown as his “best friend.”

However, he took no responsibility for his actions or the events leading to the victim’s death.

During the court hearing, the Douglas County District Attorney stated, "It’s difficult to understand how two young men who were friends would let a social media post lead to the murder of one. Too often we see people mistake the recklessness of the virtual world for the permanence of consequences in the real world. Unfortunately, the wake-up call, like in this case, can be disastrous and devastating to our families and our communities”

Mason’s then-girlfriend, Destiny Biana Henry, also faced arrest in connection with the shooting. She reached an agreement with prosecutors, pleading guilty to one count of hindering the apprehension of a criminal in exchange for testifying against Mason. Her sentencing hearing is yet to be scheduled.