MAHOMET, Ill. (WCIA) — A year has passed since a heart-wrenching tragedy struck a family and a community, leaving a father bereft of his children and friends mourning the loss of cherished companions. It was on December 18, 2024, that a mother, son, and daughter were tragically gunned down in their Mahomet residence.

The victims, Janis Mason, aged 61, along with her children Sara, 26, and Caleb, 23, fell victim to a brutal act of violence when Caleb’s former roommate arrived at their Riverside Court home and opened fire. The incident left a deep void in the lives of those who knew them, as they were remembered as joyful, caring, and talented individuals who enriched their community through their athleticism and musical talents.

The loss of the Masons has been keenly felt by those who knew them well. Among them is Nichole Jessup, a close family friend, who expressed her profound sense of loss. “Oh, I miss them terribly,” she shared, her eyes brimming with tears.

On that fateful December night, Jessup recalled an unsettling feeling as she prepared for bed. Her intuition was soon confirmed when she came across a social media post indicating law enforcement activity on Riverside Court. Driven by concern, she turned to PulsePoint and monitored police radio communications, anxiously trying to piece together what had happened.

That December night, Jessup said she remembered getting ready for bed, knowing something felt off. After seeing a social media post about law enforcement on Riverside Court, she checked PulsePoint and listened to police radio.

“It was very hard because I knew one didn’t make it, two went to the hospital,” Jessup described. “I didn’t know who was who when I went to bed that night.”

The next morning, she woke up to unimaginable news. All three had died.

“I had to call my daughter and tell her. No parent wants to do that,” Jessup said.

Gun violence had claimed their lives too soon.

“When I received that call, it was the worst day of my life,” Randall Mason, Caleb and Sara’s father, said.

Caleb’s ex-roommate from college, John Lyons, shot and killed all three, then fled the scene. He was found in the Chicago suburbs less than two hours later. That’s where he shot at police officers. The officers then returned fire, killing Lyons.

“I remember texting [Janis] a little after 10 o’clock that night, ‘are you okay?’ I knew it was at her house. That was my last text to her,” Jessup said.

Instead of watching his children grow up and chase their dreams, Randall Mason is left with a hole in his heart. Sara was preparing to start graduate school, passionate about the environment.

“Bugs and bees. She really liked sunflowers. So, I got a sunflower tattoo for her,” Randall said.

Meanwhile, Randall said his son was working two jobs, including at Texas Roadhouse, and saving money to own a house by the time he was 30.

Their mother, Janis, was cheering them on every step of the way.

“She had such an amazing family. She loved, loved, loved her family so much,” Jessup described.

Now, she can’t help but think back to some of her favorite moments with Janis, or “Jan” as many people called her. She and Jessup were friends for nearly 20 years, and they were there for each other in life’s biggest moments.

“My daughter got married at our church across the street from our house, so she got ready in her bedroom. I said, ‘oh, we got to take care of the flowers.’ I walk over there, Jan’s in the basement of the church, taking care of everything,” Jessup remembered. “She’s like, ‘you get outta here. You take care of yourself, be with your daughter, I got this.’ She was just a go-getter.”

It didn’t matter if they were walking through Mahomet’s Christmas lights in the cold, or traveling in a camper to the warm beaches of the Gulf Shores. The two of them had a “sisterly bond,” a friendship Jessup has honored the past year through positive stories.

“I posted every week, or every other day, memories of Jan and Sara,” she said. “I want people to remember them for the positive and the fun that they were.”

Even through the pain, grief and healing process, the community is forging ahead and leaning on one another. That way, their loved ones are remembered for all the good they say they brought to Central Illinois.

The community rallied together and raised $17,000 to pay for the family’s funerals. Many employees from Champaign’s Texas Roadhouse were at the service. In fact, the restaurant brought in help from other nearby locations so as many people could make it as possible.

The family is still paying for many bills related to the crime. If you’d like to support Randall Mason as he navigates the bills, you can find the GoFundMe at this link.