Four teenagers have been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murders of Max Dixon, 16, and Mason Rist, 15, who were tragically killed in a case of mistaken identity in Bristol earlier this year. The two boys, who had been close friends since childhood, died after being chased and stabbed by the group in the Knowle West area of the city on the evening of January 27, 2024.
The attackers—Riley Tolliver, 18, Kodishai Westcott, 17, and two minors aged 15 and 16—were driven to the scene by Antony Snook, 45, who has also been convicted of the murders. The five defendants were sentenced following a six-week trial at Bristol Crown Court, during which the details of the fatal incident emerged.
The Tragic Sequence of Events
The fatal attack occurred when Snook and the four teenagers, armed with machetes and a baseball bat, sought revenge after masked youths had thrown bricks at a property in the Hartcliffe area, injuring a woman. However, Max and Mason, who were out for a pizza at the time, were mistakenly identified as being involved in the incident.
Within moments of spotting the two boys, Tolliver and the others exited Snook’s car, pursued Max and Mason, and attacked them on the street. Within 33 seconds, they returned to the car, leaving the two boys gravely injured. Both were pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital in the early hours of January 28.
The court heard that the attackers acted swiftly, with little to no time for reflection. The shock and violence of the incident were compounded by the fact that the victims had no involvement in the events that triggered the revenge attack.
Sentences and Impact on the Families
At the sentencing, Justice May condemned the actions of the defendants, particularly emphasizing the unnecessary loss of young lives. Riley Tolliver was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 23 years. Westcott, who was named for the first time in court, received a life sentence with a minimum term of 23 years and 44 days. The two minors were also sentenced to life imprisonment with minimum terms of 15 and 18 years, respectively.
Chloe Rist, the sister of Mason, delivered an emotional victim impact statement, holding up packets containing Mason’s ashes, a piece of his hair, and a print of his hand. She described how her brother, diagnosed with autism at age three, had been a vulnerable, harmless young man who did not deserve such a violent end. Chloe’s statement detailed the profound effect her brother’s death had on her family, recounting how her grandmother suffered a heart attack in the aftermath, and how her own child was born prematurely due to the emotional toll.
In a poignant moment, Chloe told the defendants: “This is my dead brother’s handprint. Another thing you’ve done. I should be able to hold my brother’s hand, not look at it on a piece of paper.”
The Broader Impact
The brutal murders of Max Dixon and Mason Rist have left an indelible mark on their families, as well as on the local community. Their deaths serve as a tragic reminder of the devastating consequences of violence, mistaken identity, and revenge-driven acts.
As the legal process concludes, the sentencing has brought some form of closure, but for the families of the victims, the emotional scars will remain. The case also highlights the ongoing need to address youth violence, gang culture, and the importance of early intervention in preventing such senseless acts of brutality.
In the wake of this case, both the community and the wider public are left reflecting on the loss of two young lives, stolen in an instant due to a tragic mistake, and the far-reaching consequences for those left behind.
