In a tragic turn of events on a late summer evening, Benjamin Francis, a 59-year-old male, lost his life in what police have described as a dispute between longtime acquaintances. On the evening of Sunday, September 7, 2025, in the 4300 block of Rockport Lane in Bowie, Maryland, Francis was found outside suffering from a gunshot wound. He was quickly transported to a local hospital, but succumbed to his injuries a short time later.
The circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting point
to a heated argument that escalated to violence. Francis and Herbert Keith Mason Jr., 58, had been friends for over three decades before the deadly encounter. The nature of their disagreement has not been publicly disclosed, but it culminated in the tragic shooting. The incident has left friends and family reeling from the sudden and violent loss of a beloved community member.
Following the shooting, authorities promptly took action. Herbert Keith Mason Jr. was taken into custody at the scene of the crime. He has since been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of Benjamin Francis and is currently in the custody of the Department of Corrections. The investigation into the shooting is ongoing.
Benjamin Francis was not only a devoted husband and father to six children, but also a grandfather and the sole provider for his family. Remembered as a man with a kind and generous heart, he was a pastor at Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Lanham and an Army veteran. His sudden death has left his family both emotionally and financially devastated. In the wake of this tragedy, the community has rallied around the Francis family, offering support during this incredibly difficult time.
