Mother's Anguish Over Missed Chance to Stop Teen Murders
The grieving mother of a murdered teenager has disclosed that her son's killer was discovered with a machete just days before the fatal attack, only to be released after informing officers the weapon was intended for fishing purposes. Nikki Knight, 52, lost her 15-year-old son, Mason Rist, and his 16-year-old friend, Max Dixon, in a brutal stabbing described as a revenge incident while the boys were en route to purchase pizza in Bristol.
Fatal Encounter and Police Interaction
Anthony Snook, aged 45, arrived at the scene in his Audi accompanied by Riley Tolliver, 18, Kodi Wescott, 17, and two other teenagers aged 15, 16, and 17, whose identities remain protected for legal reasons. Nikki has since learned of a critical missed opportunity to prevent the killings when Snook was not detained despite a machete being found in the boot of his vehicle eight days prior to the murders.
It has now emerged that Snook justified his possession of the knife by telling police he was an enthusiastic angler and that the weapon formed part of his regular fishing equipment. This explanation led to his release without arrest, a decision that has sparked outrage and scrutiny.
Horrific Attack and Legal Proceedings
CCTV footage from Nikki's residence captured the terrifying 33-second assault, which commenced when four youths leaped from the vehicle on Mason's doorstep. Armed with weapons including a machete, zombie knife, and baseball bat, Max and Mason sustained stab wounds deemed unsurvivable before the assailants fled the scene.
During the subsequent trial, Snook attempted to assert that he was unaware the teenagers were armed and denied any knowledge of knives already being in his car. However, Nikki was informed that just eight days earlier, on Friday, January 19, 2024, Snook had a machete-style knife confiscated by authorities.
Police Response and Accountability
The incident was reportedly logged for further enquiries, yet Snook was not arrested and was permitted to continue his journey. Avon and Somerset Police stated that the handling of the incident was reviewed and deemed the officer's actions entirely appropriate, with no further action to be taken.
Last year, the Crown Prosecution Service determined it was not in the public interest to pursue a possession charge against Snook after he received a minimum sentence of 38 years for the double murder of Max and Mason.
Mother's Quest for Justice
Nikki expressed her devastation, stating, 'The authorities have failed the kids. Just days before the murders they found a machete in the boot of Antony Snook's car. He was not arrested, and it was not given as evidence. The worst thing about it is that they sent him on his way. Just days later, he had murdered two innocent boys.'
She emphasised that if Snook had been remanded, the tragedy might have been averted. 'The police just let him go. That is all I was told – the end of the conversation. They just took the weapon off him and sent him on his way. They should have kept our kids safe, but they failed them badly,' she added.
Nikki is now dedicating 2026 to holding various authorities accountable, accusing them of failing to safeguard the teenage victims. Avon and Somerset Police reiterated in a statement that Snook was detained and reported at the roadside for possessing a bladed article, with the knife seized and the case not continued after his murder conviction.
