Prosecutors said John “Dakota” Lyon’s attack forced a chaotic police response that wounded his younger brother, Maverick Lyon.
ALBANY, Ore. — An Oregon man was sentenced to six years and five months in prison after prosecutors said he held his younger brother at knifepoint before police shot the brother during a chaotic response at a North Albany home.
John “Dakota” Lyon, 27, pleaded guilty Thursday to attempted kidnapping in the second degree, unlawful use of a weapon and coercion. Benton County prosecutors said the Jan. 6 incident left 21-year-old Maverick Lyon with several gunshot wounds, required surgery and led to a lengthy recovery. Dakota Lyon also received two years of community supervision after his prison term.
The case began at the Lyon family home in North Albany while Maverick Lyon was home from college for winter break. Prosecutors said Dakota Lyon accused his brother of plotting with their father to harm him. Dakota Lyon then armed himself with a large kitchen knife, grabbed Maverick Lyon by the shirt and pulled him through the house while implying he would hurt him. Their father saw what was happening on a home surveillance system and called 911.
Authorities said Maverick Lyon tried to calm his brother and convinced him that he was on his side. Prosecutors said the younger brother persuaded Dakota Lyon to leave the house so they could confront their father together. Before that happened, Maverick Lyon grabbed a separate kitchen knife at Dakota Lyon’s apparent direction. Police were already arriving on a report that an older brother was holding a knife against his younger brother.
Officers approached the door and saw at least one man with a knife through the window, officials said. They gave loud commands. Maverick Lyon then broke free and moved toward the back door while still holding the knife. Prosecutors said he began dropping the knife as he crossed the doorway, but officers, standing close to the door, opened fire because they feared for their safety and the safety of other officers.
Maverick Lyon was struck several times. As officers gave first aid, prosecutors said he told them, “You shot the wrong guy.” Investigators later reviewed video from inside the home and said it showed Dakota Lyon had been holding Maverick Lyon at knifepoint before police arrived. A second knife was found near Dakota Lyon after he was taken into custody.
Dakota Lyon had been released from prison before the incident and was living at the family home, prosecutors said. He had served a 58-month sentence for attempted assault in the first degree and unlawful use of a weapon. Prosecutors also said methamphetamine may have played a role in his actions. A urine sample taken that day tested positive for the drug, and people close to him believed he had recently started using methamphetamine again.
Prosecutor Amie Matusko said the shooting flowed from Dakota Lyon’s conduct inside the home. “But for Dakota’s actions, police would not have been called, Maverick would not be a victim of kidnapping, unlawful use of a weapon, and coercion, and the police would not have shot Maverick,” Matusko said. During sentencing, Dakota Lyon’s attorney said he was remorseful and wished he could have taken the bullets instead of his brother.
The Benton County Sheriff’s Office investigated the shooting under the county’s deadly physical force plan after Albany Police Chief Marcia Harnden requested an outside review. Officials said the force investigation and the criminal case were handled with the Benton County District Attorney’s Office. Earlier findings said officers had only seconds to react when Maverick Lyon came through the doorway with the knife.
Dakota Lyon has remained in custody since his arrest. Maverick Lyon, who was named as the victim in the criminal case, appears to be doing well after surgery and recovery, prosecutors said. The case now moves from prosecution to the prison sentence and supervision ordered by the court.