MACON, Ga. — A man was sentenced to 25 years in the September 2021 shooting death of Antonio Mason, the Macon District Attorney's Office announced.
39-year-old Michael Maxwell pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony for shooting and killing Mason.
On Sept. 23, 2021, Maxwell called the sheriff's office to his hotel because he claimed "people were trying to kill him," the DA's Office said.
He requested a ride from deputies to his sister's home in the 1800 block of Woodliff Street in Pleasant Hill, where Maxwell's sister actually lived with Mason.
Maxwell was sleeping on the couch when Mason arrived to his own home after work. It was then that Maxwell attempted to push the door closed on Mason as he attempted to come inside, the DA's Office said.
When Mason then tried to enter again, the DA's Office said Maxwell pulled out a gun and shot through the door. The gunshot struck Mason in the chest, and he was taken to the hospital where he would later be pronounced dead.
According to the media release, the DA's Office said that he thought he was being followed by a potential killer.
When he realized he had actually shot Mason, Maxwell dropped his gun and left the area.
He was caught by authorities and pleaded guilty on Thursday. He was sentenced to 25 years with the first 17 years to be served in prison, the DA's Office said.
The shooting was investigated by the Bibb County Sheriff's Office.
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