John 'Dakota' Lyon, 27, was sentenced Thursday to six years and five months in prison after pleading guilty to charges stemming from a family kidnapping attempt that ended with his younger brother being shot by police officers responding to the scene in North Albany, Oregon.
Background
The incident began on January 6 at the Lyon family residence when Dakota Lyon, recently released from a 58-month Department of Corrections sentence for attempted assault in the first degree and unlawful use of a weapon, accused his 21-year-old brother Maverick of conspiring with their father to do him harm. According to prosecutors, Dakota armed himself with a large kitchen knife and grabbed Maverick by his shirt, dragging him through the house while implying he would use the weapon against him.
The brothers' father monitored the situation through the home's surveillance system and immediately dialed 911. Despite Maverick's pleas, Dakota refused to release him or put down the knife, prosecutors said. The situation escalated as the older brother held his younger sibling at knifepoint throughout the residence.
"During the event, Maverick Lyon obtained a separate knife at the apparent direction of Dakota Lyon," law enforcement officials noted in an earlier joint press release. "Maverick Lyon had this knife in his hand at the door when he began to exit."
The Investigation
Officers arrived at the residence after dispatch received a report of an older brother holding a knife against his younger brother. Upon approaching the home, authorities saw through a door window at least one man holding a knife and gave loud verbal commands.
"Two officers fired multiple shots from their duty pistols, striking the man multiple times," according to the initial press release describing the shooting.
The Benton County District Attorney's Office provided additional details about what happened next. "Maverick broke free of Dakota, and rushed out the back door. Unfortunately, Maverick still had a knife in his hand as he began to break the plane of the door. Officers were standing near the door. Maverick began dropping the knife, but officers, fearing for theirs and other officers' lives, fired their weapons at Maverick."
Maverick Lyon survived the shooting after undergoing surgery and what prosecutors described as "a lengthy recovery period." He was left with injuries from being struck several times by police rounds.
"You shot the wrong guy," Maverick told officers as they rendered first aid, according to the district attorney's office. Dakota Lyon was taken into custody at the scene and has remained in jail since his arrest. The second knife was recovered near him.
Dakota Lyon pleaded guilty to one count each of attempted kidnapping in the second degree, unlawful use of a weapon, and coercion. His sentencing included an additional two years of community supervision following his prison term.
Key Takeaways
- Dakota Lyon had just been released from a 58-month sentence for prior violent offenses before the incident occurred
- Prosecutors say methamphetamine may have contributed to his actions; a urine sample collected that day tested positive for the drug
- The shooting victim, Maverick Lyon, was a 21-year-old college student home on winter break at the time of the attack
- A surveillance system in the family home allowed authorities' father to witness the kidnapping attempt and call 911
- Dakota's defense attorney stated his client was remorseful and "wished he could have taken the bullets instead of Maverick" during sentencing
What's Next
Dakota Lyon will serve his six-year sentence in state prison before beginning two years of community supervision. His brother Maverick continues recovering from the shooting incident, with prosecutors noting he "appears to be doing well." The case highlights ongoing questions about police response protocols when officers encounter multiple armed individuals during domestic disturbance calls.
The investigation was conducted by the Albany Police Department with prosecution handled by the Benton County District Attorney's Office.