ALBANY, Ore. — An Albany man whose actions led to a police shooting that wounded his younger brother has been sentenced to more than six years in prison.
John Dakota Lyon pleaded guilty Thursday to Attempted Kidnapping in the Second Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and Coercion. He was sentenced to a total of 77 months in prison followed by two years of post-prison supervision.
According to prosecutors, the incident occurred on Jan. 6 while Lyon’s younger brother, Maverick Lyon, was home from college during winter break visiting his parents. Dakota Lyon had recently been released from prison after serving time for convictions stemming from a 2023 case in which he was sentenced to 58 months for Attempted Assault in the First Degree and Unlawful Use of a Weapon.
Authorities said Dakota Lyon accused Maverick and their father of conspiring to harm him. Armed with a large kitchen knife, Dakota allegedly grabbed Maverick by the shirt and forced him throughout the home while threatening violence.
Despite repeated pleas from his younger brother, prosecutors said Dakota refused to release him or put down the knife. Maverick eventually persuaded Dakota to allow him to arm himself with another kitchen knife, claiming they would leave the house together to confront their father.
The father, who was monitoring the situation through a home surveillance system, called 911.
When Albany police officers arrived, they observed two men inside the residence through a back door window and saw that one of them was armed. During a brief interaction with officers, Maverick managed to break free and rushed toward the back door.
However, officers saw Maverick emerge while still holding a knife. Although he began dropping the weapon, officers, fearing for their safety and the safety of others, fired their weapons. Maverick was struck several times.
A subsequent officer-involved shooting review conducted by the Benton County District Attorney’s Office determined that the officers’ use of force was justified.
Police rendered first aid, and while receiving treatment, Maverick reportedly told officers, “You shot the wrong guy.”
Dakota Lyon surrendered without further incident and was taken into custody. Investigators recovered the knife believed to have been used during the incident nearby.
After surgery and an extended recovery, prosecutors said Maverick Lyon appears to be doing well.
Authorities noted that methamphetamine may have contributed to Dakota Lyon’s behavior. A urine sample taken on the day of the incident tested positive for methamphetamine, and family members believed he had recently resumed using the drug.
Chief Deputy District Attorney Amie Matusko, who prosecuted the case, said the events that unfolded were a direct consequence of Dakota Lyon’s actions.
“As Dakota marched Maverick around the house at knife point, Maverick feared for his life and wanted nothing more than to escape his drug-crazed older brother,” Matusko said. “But for Dakota’s actions, police would not have been called, Maverick would not have been a victim of kidnapping, unlawful use of a weapon, and coercion, and the police would not have shot Maverick.”
During sentencing, defense attorney Christian Strahl acknowledged Dakota Lyon’s responsibility in the shooting and said his client expressed remorse, stating that he wished he had taken the bullets instead of his brother.
Matusko said that while the sentiment was appreciated, true accountability lies in recognizing that the violence and its lasting impact on the family began when Dakota Lyon raised a knife against his brother.
Dakota Lyon has remained in custody since his arrest on Jan. 6.
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