“I thought I would die first”: Mother mourning teen son killed in Colorado Springs shooting
By Rachel Ramsey
Published on April 29, 2026.
Cortez Mason Jr., known as Cj, was shot and killed in northeast Colorado Springs on Sunday night. His mother, Brandi Howell, described her son as loving, respectful, and funny. The shooting occurred shortly after Cj finished his shift at his new job. No arrests have been made yet, but police are actively investigating the crime. A GoFundMe has been established to support Howell and her family through their mourning.
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