Heartbreak and Tragedy in Bristol: Two Teenagers Murdered in Mistaken Identity Attack

In a tragic case of mistaken identity, two best friends, Mason Rist (15) and Max Dixon (16), lost their lives on January 27 in Knowle West, Bristol.

A group of teenagers and one adult man were found guilty of the brutal murders that left a community reeling. The verdicts were reached following a harrowing trial at Bristol Crown Court, in which the events of that fateful night were brought to light.

Mason and Max were fatally stabbed just yards from Mason’s front door, with the attack captured on CCTV. The trial revealed that both boys were victims of a case of mistaken identity. The assailants had wrongly identified them as responsible for throwing bricks at a house in the neighboring Hartcliffe area earlier that evening. Driven by a desire for revenge, five individuals set out from Hartcliffe to Knowle West, armed with deadly weapons.

The accused—Anthony Snook (45), Riley Tolliver (18), and two teenagers aged 17 and 16—had denied involvement in the murders. A 15-year-old boy had admitted to killing Mason but denied responsibility for Max’s death. However, after deliberating for nearly 19 hours, the jury found all defendants guilty of both murders.

In the courtroom, none of the accused reacted as the guilty verdicts were delivered. They sat expressionless, staring ahead, while the public gallery was a scene of heartbreak and grief. Mason and Max's families wept openly, overcome with emotion. Other relatives, overcome by the weight of justice served, cheered and punched the air.

Max’s family expressed the emotional toll of the six-week trial. In a heartfelt statement, they said, “The past six weeks have been emotionally draining. Today’s outcome doesn’t change the fact that two families go home without their boys. But we can now hopefully begin to process and remember them both and the happy memories both families have of Max and Mason.”

The impact on the boys’ families and the Knowle West community has been immense. Speaking to the media, the mothers of Max and Mason described how their sons were taken in a way that forever changed their lives. The senselessness of the violence and the loss of two young lives have left an indelible mark on all who knew them.

The court heard that Mason and Max were set upon with machetes, each weapon measuring over 40 centimeters in length. The attack, which lasted just 33 seconds, inflicted fatal wounds on both boys. CCTV footage from Mason’s home showed the Audi driven by Anthony Snook slowing down as it approached the boys before the occupants leapt out and gave chase. Within moments, the teens were viciously attacked. Despite the best efforts of neighbors and paramedics, Mason and Max succumbed to their injuries shortly after arriving at the hospital.

Detective Superintendent Gary Haskins of Avon and Somerset Police, who led the investigation, described the attack as “horrific.” He highlighted the utter senselessness of the violence, saying, “These were two boys going about their business just out being friends. They were cut down in the prime of their lives. They must have been absolutely petrified.”

Anthony Snook, the only adult in the group, played a crucial role in facilitating the attack. He drove the teenagers to the scene in his Audi Q2, and his defense rested on the claim that he did not know the youths intended to commit murder. However, the prosecution argued that Snook was complicit in the events, failing to intervene or prevent the violence. Detective Superintendent Haskins emphasized Snook’s responsibility, saying, “He was the adult who could have changed the course of this incident. He’s the one that could have stopped this from happening.”

The chilling aftermath of the murders only deepened the horror. Hours after the attack, one of the teenagers was seen on CCTV returning to Hartcliffe with a McDonald’s meal in hand. Detective Superintendent Haskins commented on the unsettling nature of this detail, saying, “Two beautiful boys lost their lives, and they went to McDonald's for an early morning breakfast.”

The sentencing phase will bring some measure of closure to the grieving families. Anthony Snook is set to be sentenced on November 19, while the four teenagers will receive their sentences on December 16. The case has cast a spotlight on the devastating impact of youth violence and the long-lasting trauma it leaves in its wake.

Detective Superintendent Haskins spoke of the community’s attempts to save Mason and Max. Local residents rushed to their aid as they collapsed on the street, trying desperately to keep them alive until emergency services arrived. The scene was a stark reminder of the brutality of the attack and the helplessness felt by those who tried to intervene.

The murders of Mason and Max have left a lasting void in their families and the Knowle West community. The boys were inseparable best friends, known for their joy and spirit. Now, the memories of their laughter and shared adventures are what sustain those who loved them.

While the guilty verdicts offer some form of justice, the heartbreak endures. The case serves as a sobering reminder of the dire consequences of violence and the fragility of life. As Mason and Max’s families grapple with their grief, they hold onto the hope that remembering the boys for who they were, rather than how they died, will eventually bring healing.

In the face of such senseless loss, their story stands as a call for change and a plea to protect the youth from violence.