‘You Shot the Wrong Guy’: College Lacrosse Player Sues Oregon Police After Being Shot Five Times While Escaping Brother’s Hostage Attack

A college lacrosse player who was allegedly held hostage at knifepoint by his own brother was shot five times by police after running out of his family home in Oregon. Now, months after surviving multiple life-threatening injuries, he is taking legal action against the officers and local authorities.

Maverick Lyon, 21, filed a federal lawsuit on November 2, 2026, accusing Albany police officers of using excessive force when they shot him during the January 6 incident in North Albany, Oregon.

The lawsuit claims Maverick was trying to escape his older brother, John “Dakota” Lyon, who had allegedly threatened him with a knife and held him against his will inside their parents’ home.

His family had called police for help. Instead, Maverick ended up being shot repeatedly by the officers who arrived at the property.

The case has drawn renewed attention after the release of details from security footage and the filing of the lawsuit, which challenges an earlier decision by prosecutors that cleared the officers of criminal wrongdoing.

Father watched the terrifying confrontation through a security camera

According to the lawsuit, Dakota, then 27, had been staying at the family home while under post-prison supervision.

His parents had reportedly become increasingly concerned about his behavior and possible drug relapse. The previous day, they had contacted authorities about their concerns.

On January 6, Dakota allegedly became increasingly agitated during a telephone conversation with his father, David Lyon.

After reviewing the family’s Ring security cameras, David allegedly saw Dakota threatening Maverick with a knife and realized his younger son was in danger.

He called 911 at approximately 10:48 a.m.

Investigators later confirmed that Maverick had been held at knifepoint by his older brother. According to police accounts, Dakota had also directed Maverick to hold a separate knife during the confrontation.

‘You shot the wrong guy’

When Albany officers arrived, they encountered a man holding a knife near the rear entrance of the property.

The lawsuit alleges that Maverick attempted to follow police commands and escape through the back door. He says he dropped the knife before stepping outside and raised his hands to show that he was no longer armed.

But officers Matt Thomas and Engle Diaz opened fire.

Maverick was struck five times, suffering gunshot wounds to his chest, back and face. The lawsuit further alleges that one officer continued firing after he had fallen to the ground.

Another officer allegedly used a Taser on him.

As Maverick lay wounded, he reportedly tried to explain what had happened, shouting:

“You shot the wrong guy — he was holding me hostage.”

The lawsuit says officers subsequently handcuffed him while he was seriously injured. Medical personnel later required the handcuffs to be removed so they could treat his life-threatening wounds.

Survived four weeks in hospital and multiple operations

Maverick’s injuries were devastating.

He spent approximately four weeks in hospital and underwent several major operations. According to his legal team’s account, surgeons removed part of his right lung, his spleen and his appendix. He also required reconstructive surgery involving his digestive system.

The shooting derailed his college life.

Maverick was a student-athlete at Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire, where he played lacrosse. He missed his final semester and senior lacrosse season while recovering from the injuries.

His family says the physical and emotional consequences have changed his life.

His father, David, described the family’s anguish over what happened after they had contacted police seeking protection for their son.

“Our family has been through something no family should ever have to experience,” he said.

Prosecutor previously ruled police shooting justified

The lawsuit comes despite an earlier decision by Benton County District Attorney Ryan Joslin.

Following an independent investigation conducted by the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, the district attorney concluded in March 2026 that the officers’ use of deadly force was legally justified.

The prosecutor said officers had only fractions of a second to react and believed Maverick posed an imminent threat because he was holding a knife as he exited the home.

The investigation also determined that Maverick was the victim of his brother’s alleged crimes and acknowledged that the outcome was an absolute tragedy.

The district attorney said the officers could not have known in that brief moment that Maverick was attempting to escape his brother.

The conclusion has now become a central point of dispute in the civil lawsuit.

Brother sentenced to more than six years in prison

Dakota Lyon was subsequently prosecuted for his role in the incident.

He pleaded guilty to several offenses, including second-degree kidnapping, unlawful use of a weapon and coercion. In June 2026, he was sentenced to 77 months in prison, followed by two years of post-prison supervision.

Prosecutors said a urine sample collected on the day of the incident tested positive for methamphetamine.

The civil lawsuit also names the City of Albany, the two officers involved, Benton County and a county probation officer. It alleges excessive force, negligence, battery and violations of Maverick’s constitutional rights.

The family is seeking accountability and changes intended to prevent similar incidents.

The city and county had not publicly responded to the lawsuit in the latest reports, and the allegations have not yet been tested in court.

For Maverick, the case is about more than the five bullets that nearly ended his life. It is about a family that called for help during a hostage situation — and a young man who says he was shot by the very people who came to rescue him.

Source link:  DAILYMAIL