Final Defendant Sentenced in 2020 Houghton Beach Park Murder
***Reposted from the Kirkland Police Department***
The final suspect in the 2020 Houghton Beach Park murder case has been sentenced to 196 months in prison, concluding a thorough investigation by the Kirkland Police Department.
The Houghton Beach murder occurred on September 16, 2020. Kirkland Police Officers responded to reports of gunfire at Houghton Beach Park on Lake Washington Boulevard. When officers arrived, they found 18-year-old Cyrus Mason critically injured on the park’s dock. Despite life-saving efforts, Cyrus died due to his injuries. Witnesses reported seeing two suspects run from the scene and get into a dark BMW sedan driven by a third person.
To solve the case, the Kirkland Police Department’s Investigations Unit worked with multiple agencies, analyzed surveillance footage, executed over 15 search warrants, and conducted extensive social media analysis to identify and apprehend the suspects. Investigators discovered that Cyrus and two juvenile acquaintances had arranged to meet at the park for a gun transaction organized through social media. The deal involved trading an AR-style rifle for cash and a pistol.
Detectives uncovered that the suspects, then 17-year-old Joshua Hawthorne, 18-year-old Chrisean Kaufman, and then 16-year-old Calvin Vao had conspired to rob Cyrus and his juvenile associates at the park. During the encounter on the dock, Cyrus was shot five times with a handgun and killed. Hawthorne and Vao fled the scene to the waiting BMW driven by Kaufman.
All three individuals responsible for the murder of Cyrus Mason are now serving prison sentences. Kaufman and Vao accepted plea deals for second-degree murder. Vao was sentenced to 172 months in prison, while Kaufman, the getaway driver, received a 123-month sentence. Hawthorne chose to stand trial and was convicted of first-degree murder with a weapons enhancement on November 19, 2024. On January 6, 2025, he was sentenced to 196 months in prison.
“I’m grateful to the members of our King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office team who worked hard over multiple years to bring the three individuals responsible for this murder to justice,” said King County Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion. “I also want to extend my deep appreciation to the Kirkland Police Department for their excellent investigatory work and strong partnership throughout the course of this case.”
Kirkland Police Chief Cherie Harris echoed these sentiments: “This case deeply affected our community, and I am proud of our officers and detectives who worked tirelessly to uncover the truth and ensure justice was served. Our thoughts remain with the Mason family, and we hope this resolution provides some measure of comfort.”
This sentencing brings closure to a case that has weighed heavily on the Kirkland community. The Kirkland Police Department thanks the officers, detectives, witnesses, and inter-agency partners who worked together to bring justice for Cyrus Mason and his family.
