On January 16, 2025, a tragic incident unfolded in Alliance, Ohio, resulting in the death of 56-year-old Stacy L. Pride. The shooting occurred on the fifth floor of the Alliance Towers apartment complex, located at 350 S. Arch Avenue. Authorities responded to a 911 call reporting gunfire, and upon arrival, officers discovered Pride, a resident of the building, suffering from gunshot wounds. The suspect, identified as 63-year-old Mason French, was still armed when police encountered him in the hallway. Officers engaged French, ultimately shooting and killing him at the scene.
Investigations revealed that Pride and French were in a relationship, though the circumstances leading to the fatal encounter remain under scrutiny. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation has taken charge of the case, aiming to piece together the events that transpired. Reports indicate that French had a criminal history, including a conviction in 2006 for felonious assault with a firearm. In that incident, he had shot his daughter's boyfriend following a dispute. French was sentenced to 15 years in prison but was later released.
The Alliance Police Department has stated that body camera footage from the responding officers will be made available after Pride’s family has had the opportunity to review it. Four officers were involved in the response, with two of them firing their weapons. As standard procedure, those officers have been placed on administrative leave while the investigation continues. Authorities are also expected to release 911 call recordings in the coming days.
The community has been shaken by the violent nature of the incident, particularly given the location within a residential complex. Residents of Alliance Towers, a property managed by the Stark Metropolitan Housing Authority, have expressed concerns about safety following the shooting. Law enforcement officials are working to determine whether there were any prior indications of conflict between Pride and French that could have led to the deadly confrontation.
