College Student Escapes Brother’s Knife Attack, Only to Be Shot Five Times by Police
A 21-year-old college student who managed to escape a terrifying hostage situation at his family home was shot five times by responding police officers in Oregon. Now, months after the incident, he is taking legal action against the officers and local authorities, alleging that the people he called for help nearly cost him his life.
Maverick Lyon was home in North Albany, Oregon, on January 6 when his older brother, John “Dakota” Lyon, allegedly held him at knifepoint. Their father, David Lyon, contacted police after witnessing the dangerous situation through the home’s security camera system.
According to the federal lawsuit filed by Maverick, Dakota had been struggling with drug use and had become increasingly unpredictable. The family had reportedly raised concerns with county officials about his behavior the day before the incident.
During the confrontation, Maverick managed to obtain a knife to defend himself before attempting to escape. When Albany police officers arrived, the situation unfolded in a matter of seconds.
The lawsuit alleges that officers failed to distinguish Maverick from his older brother, despite having been given descriptions of what each man was wearing. It claims Maverick repeatedly tried to signal for help while inside the house.
When he eventually came out, the complaint says he dropped the knife and raised his hands. However, Officers Matt Thomas and Engle Diaz opened fire, striking him at least five times. The lawsuit further alleges that one officer continued śh́óóting after Maverick had fallen to the ground.
In footage cited in the lawsuit, Maverick could be heard telling officers: “You guys got the wrong guy. He was holding me hostage.”
The injuries were devastating. Maverick spent approximately four weeks in hospital and underwent multiple operations, including the removal of part of his right lung, spleen and appendix. His facial injuries are also expected to require further orthopedic and plastic surgery.
At the time, Maverick was a student at Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire and a member of its lacrosse team. The śh́óóting forced him to miss a semester and his senior lacrosse season, although he has since returned to playing.
His parents, David and Laura Lyon, said they wanted answers, accountability and changes that could prevent another family from experiencing the same ordeal.
The newly filed federal lawsuit names the City of Albany, the two officers, Benton County and county probation officer Joshua Hall. It alleges excessive force, negligence and other civil rights violations. The claims have not yet been decided by a court.
However, the case has already drawn attention to a separate finding by the Benton County District Attorney’s Office. After reviewing the January śh́óóting, the office concluded in March that the officers’ use of diᩚadℓy force was legally justified, saying they had only fractions of a second to assess the threat in a rapidly unfolding situation.
The district attorney also acknowledged that Maverick was the victim of his brother’s actions and described the outcome as an “absolute tᩚraɢedy.”
Dakota Lyon later pleaded guilty to second-degree attempted kidnapping, unlawful use of a w𝔢𝔞𝔭𝔬η and coercion. He was sentenced to 77 months in prison.
Maverick’s lawsuit now seeks a jury trial, raising difficult questions about how the police response unfolded and whether the tᩚraɢedy could have been avoided.
Source: DAILYMAIL
