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- calendar_today November 6, 2026
College Athlete Shot by Police After Hostage Incident
Maverick Lyon, a college lacrosse player from Oregon, has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit alleging excessive force and negligence against the city of Albany and Benton County. The case stems from a police shooting that occurred after Lyon escaped a hostage situation involving his older brother at his parents' home in Albany, Oregon, on January 6.
Details of the Hostage Situation
According to the lawsuit, Lyon's brother, Dakota, had recently relapsed into drug use and was "acting dangerously toward family members." Lyon's parents, David and Laura, reported their concerns to a Benton County probation officer on January 5, asking for Dakota to be taken into custody, but their request was declined. The following day, Dakota held Maverick at knifepoint inside the family home. Their father observed the incident on a home security feed and called Albany police for help.
Police Response and the Shooting
As police surrounded the house, officers could see the brothers through a window, and the lawsuit states that Maverick mouthed "help me" to officers. It also alleges that police were already familiar with Dakota and knew Maverick was the victim. During the incident, Maverick grabbed another knife in self-defense and managed to escape through the back door.
The lawsuit claims that, after Lyon dropped the knife outside as instructed, officers shot him at least five times in the chest, back, and face, despite him obeying their commands and presenting no threat. His injuries required four weeks of hospitalization, extensive surgeries, and the removal of half his right lung, spleen, appendix, and parts of his digestive system.
Conflicting Accounts and Aftermath
The Albany Police Department stated at the time that officers were responding to a domestic disturbance involving a person with a knife, and that two officers fired upon an individual who matched that description. The department said that officers rendered medical aid immediately until emergency services arrived.
The lawsuit, however, alleges that instead of giving immediate medical help, police "yelled at Maverick to roll over and submit to handcuffing while Maverick was on the ground bleeding." Benton County and city of Albany officials declined to comment due to ongoing litigation.
Lawsuit Seeks Accountability and Damages
Maverick Lyon, now a student at Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire, is seeking a jury trial and damages for excessive force, battery, negligence, and violations of his Fourth Amendment rights. His parents have issued statements supporting their son's suit, expressing their desire for accountability and change to prevent similar incidents for other families.
"Most importantly, we want Maverick to have every opportunity to heal, move forward, and live the life he deserves," they said.
Official Determination and Sentencing
Benton County District Attorney Ryan S. Joslin determined that the shooting was justified, concluding that officers acted based on a reasonable belief that deadly force was necessary to protect themselves or others. Dakota Lyon was subsequently sentenced to over six years in prison for his role in the incident after pleading guilty to charges related to the hostage situation.
Related coverage
Source: nbcnews.com.
