A 21-year-old college student managed to break free from his knife-wielding brother inside their parents’ Oregon home and fled outside seeking assistance , only to be shot at least five times by responding police officers, according to a newly filed lawsuit.
“You shot the wrong guy,” Maverick Lyon allegedly cried out to officers moments after being shot outside his family’s residence in North Albany, as detailed in a civil complaint reviewed by legal media outlets.
“He was holding me hostage,” Maverick allegedly stated, referring to his older brother, John Dakota Lyon, commonly known as Dakota.
Dakota Lyon, 27, was sentenced in June to six years and five months in state prison following guilty pleas to charges of attempted kidnapping, unlawful use of a weapon, and coercion, according to court records.
Dakota allegedly turned on his younger brother with a knife on January 6, 2026, at their parents’ home while both parents were away at work. Maverick Lyon , who has filed suit against the city of Albany, Albany police officers, and Benton County , sustained gunshot wounds to the chest, back, and face after escaping through the rear door of the residence. According to the complaint, his brother remained armed and positioned in the doorway at the time officers discharged their weapons.
“Albany Police responded … by surrounding the Lyon house, identifying Maverick and Dakota through the window, ignoring Maverick’s pleas of mouthing ‘Help me!’ to the officer through the window, and told Maverick to come outside and drop the knife Maverick was holding for self-defense,” the complaint states. “Documents show the police were familiar with Dakota and knew at the time that Maverick was the victim, not the suspect.”
Maverick Lyon, a senior at Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire pursuing a degree in business and a member of the lacrosse team, had been at home with Dakota when their parents contacted Benton County officials to report that Dakota , who had been released from prison in November 2025 following a prior conviction for assault and weapons offenses , was exhibiting what they described as “drug-induced behavior,” according to the complaint.
Their father reportedly informed the dispatcher that Dakota Lyon was shirtless, clad in pajama pants, and actively threatening his younger brother with a knife. He allegedly described Maverick Lyon as wearing a gray, long-sleeved shirt at the time.
Albany police officers arrived on the scene after Dakota Lyon allegedly seized a large kitchen knife and took Maverick Lyon hostage. Finding no response at the front door, officers proceeded to the rear of the residence, where they allegedly observed both brothers through a window in the back door. Dakota Lyon was visibly shirtless at the time.
“Maverick was wearing the grey longsleeve shirt that distinguished him from his shirtless brother,” the complaint notes, further stating that Maverick had managed to break free from Dakota’s hold and had picked up a knife solely for the purpose of self-defense.
“As Maverick opened the door, his left arm extended outward with his hand open and his palm facing down,” the complaint states. “In his right hand, a knife was visible , the knife he had picked up for self defense against Dakota. As soon as the door was open, and before Maverick crossed the threshold of the door, he dropped the knife. Video shows the knife fell to the brick walkway.”
Officers nonetheless opened fire on Maverick Lyon as he exited the home, allegedly crouching with both hands visibly empty and extended in an effort to demonstrate that he was unarmed. Officers were heard shouting “drop it” before firing at least five rounds, according to the complaint.
Surveillance footage allegedly confirms that the knife had already been dropped prior to officers discharging their weapons. As Maverick lay wounded and bleeding on the ground, one officer was reportedly heard calling out, “Maverick, get on your stomach,” according to the complaint.
Maverick was subsequently transported to the hospital, where he underwent multiple surgical procedures, according to his legal representatives at LeDuc Montgomery LLC. The incident resulted in his absence from the spring semester of his senior year and the permanent loss of his final collegiate lacrosse season, the law firm has stated.
“This case is about more than a terrible mistake,” attorney Alicia LeDuc Montgomery said in a statement. “It is about the constitutional limits on deadly force, the obligation to protect innocent people, and the devastating consequences when law enforcement fails to distinguish someone asking for help from someone posing a threat. The public deserves answers, and Maverick deserves justice.”
The Albany Police Department had not responded to requests for comment at the time of publication. A spokesperson for the city of Albany declined to provide a statement when contacted by local media.
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