The Death of Tyrone Mason: The Questions North Carolina Authorities Must Answer

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James S. Bridgeforth, Ph.D.
James S. Bridgeforth, Ph.D.
James Bridgeforth enjoys writing as a political columnist who is a passionate advocate for justice and equality whose academic journey reflects a profound commitment to these ideals. With a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Catawba College, Bridgeforth began his quest to understand and address systemic inequalities. He furthered his expertise with a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from The University of Massachusetts-Amherst, followed by a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration and Institutional Research from The University of Southern Mississippi. Beyond his impressive academic credentials, Bridgeforth is deeply involved in organizations dedicated to empowerment and community service, including Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and 100 Black Men of America. His columns provide insightful commentary on equal opportunity, social justice, economic equity, and higher education, driven by a sincere desire to amplify voices and champion the causes of those often marginalized. Through his writing, Bridgeforth brings a blend of scholarly rigor and heartfelt advocacy, aiming to inspire change and foster a more just society for all.

After Tyrone Mason’s fatal crash, police denied involvement—until evidence suggested otherwise. With 180 cases dismissed and video footage withheld, his family demands the truth (Photo Credit: ellisdjones.com).

There are moments in American history when a single story forces the nation to look itself in the mirror. The death of Tyrone Mason should be one of them.

A Black man dies after a police pursuit in Raleigh. The family is told it was a single-car crash—no pursuit, no police involvement. But as the mother pushes for answers, the truth emerges: 180 cases were dismissed, a state trooper was under scrutiny, and a video that officials refused to release.

This isn’t just a story about one man’s death. This is a test of justice itself.

A Family’s Search for Truth

When law enforcement officers arrived at Henrietta Mason’s door, they delivered the kind of news no mother should ever have to hear: Your son is gone.

At first, the story seemed tragically simple—a fatal accident, no outside factors. But something didn’t sit right. Tyrone Mason’s mother had questions, and those questions led her into a battle that too many grieving families have been forced to fight—a battle for the truth.

She made phone calls. She sent emails. She pressed for answers. And slowly, the facts began to shift. What was once described as a routine accident was, in reality, something much more complicated. It was a police pursuit.

A state trooper was involved. There was video evidence.

And then, the revelation that stunned even those who had followed these cases before: The Wake County District Attorney dismissed 180 cases linked to one of the officers involved.

What’s on the Video?

For weeks, Mason’s family has been demanding one thing: release the footage.

If this was simply a tragic accident, why not show the evidence? If law enforcement did nothing wrong, why hide the truth?

We have seen this before.

When officials fight this hard to keep evidence from the public, it is never because it tells a story of justice.

Why This Matters to Everyone

This is not about politics. This is not about race. This is about accountability.

If a law enforcement officer’s actions resulted in a man’s death, that should concern every citizen—regardless of background or belief. If a District Attorney is willing to throw out 180 cases involving a trooper, what does that say about the credibility of the system?

This is bigger than one case in North Carolina. This is about whether the law applies equally to those who enforce it.

Americans should not have to wonder if an officer’s word can be trusted. Mothers should not have to launch personal investigations to uncover the truth about their children’s deaths.

And yet, here we are.

A Moment for Leadership and the Media

Civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump (Photo, Wikimedia Commons).

Attorney Ben Crump, one of the nation’s leading civil rights lawyers, put it plainly: “Injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere.”

Right now, North Carolina’s leaders, including Gov. Josh Stein and Attorney General Jeff Jackson, have a choice. They can stand for transparency and ensure that the public sees the footage. Or they can remain silent and allow questions of corruption and cover-ups to grow. The media also has a role to play. The press has fought for police footage before—why not now? Why isn’t this a national story? The people of Raleigh deserve answers. The Mason family deserves justice.

The Question We All Must Ask

Imagine for a moment that this was your son. Your brother. Your best friend.

Imagine being told a version of events that didn’t add up. Imagine pushing for answers, only to discover that the people responsible for telling the truth were hiding something.

Would you accept it?

Would you move on?

Or would you demand to see the evidence?

Tyrone Mason’s family has made their choice. Now, the rest of us must decide whether we will stand with them.

Justice demands transparency. And until the truth is revealed, this fight is far from over.

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