An Oregon kidnapping and police shooting that left an innocent man struck by multiple bullets has resulted in a prison sentence of six years and five months for the man whose conduct triggered the incident. John ‘Dakota’ Lyon, 27, pleaded guilty on Thursday before the Benton County District Attorney’s Office to one count each of attempted kidnapping in the second degree, unlawful use of a weapon, and coercion. He was sentenced immediately, with an additional two years of community supervision to follow his release.
How the Oregon Kidnapping and Police Shooting Unfolded
The incident occurred on 6 January at the Lyon family home in North Albany, Oregon. Albany Police Department officers responded at approximately 10:50 AM to a report of a man holding a knife against his younger brother.
Maverick Lyon, 21, was home from college for winter break when his older brother accused him of conspiring with their father to cause him harm. Dakota Lyon, who had recently been released from custody after serving a 58-month sentence for attempted assault in the first degree and unlawful use of a weapon, armed himself with a large kitchen knife and dragged Maverick through the house by his shirt, threatening him with the blade.
The brothers’ father observed the confrontation through the home’s surveillance system and called 911. Maverick eventually persuaded his older brother that he was on his side, and the two agreed to leave the house together. As a pretext to escape, Maverick said he wanted to collect his own kitchen knife before confronting their father. Dakota accepted this and loosened his grip.
Police arrived before Maverick had fully broken free. According to the initial joint press release, officers approaching the residence saw at least one man holding a knife through the door window. They issued loud verbal commands. When a man holding a knife opened the door and moved quickly towards the officers, two officers discharged their duty pistols, striking him multiple times.
That man was Maverick. He had broken free from Dakota and rushed out of the back door, but still had the kitchen knife in his hand as he crossed the threshold. He was in the process of dropping it when the officers fired.
‘You shot the wrong guy,’ Maverick told officers as they rendered first aid.
Investigation, Charges, and the Prosecution’s Case
Following the shooting, Albany Police Department Chief Marcia Harnden requested that the Benton County Sheriff’s Office conduct an independent use-of-force investigation, given its status as an uninvolved agency. The two officers who fired were placed on administrative leave. Dakota Lyon was taken into custody at the scene; a second knife was found near him.
Prosecutors noted that methamphetamine may have played a role in Dakota Lyon’s conduct. A urine sample taken that day tested positive for the drug, and those close to him believed he had recently resumed using it after a period of abstinence.
The Benton County District Attorney’s Office, led by Ryan S. Joslin, who was appointed by Governor Tina Kotek, brought the prosecution. Prosecutor Amie Matusko said in a statement: ‘The tragic shooting was a direct result of Dakota Lyon’s actions. As Dakota marched Maverick around the house at knife point, Maverick feared for his life and wanted nothing more but to escape his drug crazed older brother. 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.’
According to the Democrat Herald, Dakota Lyon had faced prior arrests beyond those that produced his 58-month sentence. At the sentencing hearing, his defence counsel said he was remorseful and wished he could have taken the bullets in his brother’s place.
Maverick Lyon ‘appears to be doing well’ following surgery and a lengthy recovery, prosecutors confirmed. The use-of-force investigation into the officers’ conduct by the Benton County Sheriff’s Office remains a separate matter, with no charges against the officers publicly announced at this stage.
