KIRKLAND, Wash. – A Renton man has been sentenced for the murder of an 18-year-old in Kirkland in September 2020. Chrisean Jowayne Kaufman, 21, received a 10-year and 3-month confinement sentence after pleading guilty to murder in the second degree. The victim, Cyrus Mason, was fatally shot during a planned meeting at Houghton Beach Park where he intended to trade an assault rifle for a handgun and money.

The shooting involved two other individuals, Joshua Scott Hawthorne and Calvin Silvaka Vao, who are also facing charges related to Mason’s murder. Kaufman’s guilty plea and sentencing shed light on the tragic events that led to Mason’s death and the impact it had on his loved ones.

According to court documents, the three men shot and fatally injured Mason during the exchange, leading to his death at Harborview Medical Center. Kaufman’s statement during the sentencing revealed his role in driving the individuals to the park and driving them away from the scene after the shooting.

Despite the sentencing of Kaufman, both Hawthorne and Vao are still awaiting jury trials, scheduled for January 8, 2024. The victim’s family members attended Kaufman’s sentencing, expressing the profound impact of Mason’s loss on their lives.

The case serves as a tragic reminder of the consequences of gun violence and the devastating effects it has on families and communities. As the legal proceedings continue for the other individuals involved, the community stands in solidarity with the family and friends of Cyrus Mason, seeking justice for his untimely death.

In summary, the Renton man, Chrisean Jowayne Kaufman, was sentenced to 10 years and 3 months in confinement for his role in the 2020 killing of 18-year-old Cyrus Mason in Kirkland. The victim’s family members expressed the irreplaceable void left by Mason’s absence, as the legal process continues for the other individuals involved in the case.