A college athlete was reportedly shot multiple times by police after they confused him with his brother, who had taken him hostage at knifepoint.
Videos by Wide Open Country
21-year-old Maverick Lyon, a lacrosse player at St. Anselm's College in New Hampshire, filed a federal civil rights case earlier this week, claiming police used excessive force and negligence in the incident.
On Jan. 6, Maverick's older brother, Dakota Lyon, who had reportedly relapsed after struggling with substance abuse, took him hostage at knifepoint at their home in Albany, Oregon. According to the lawsuit filed by Stritmatter Law via NBC News, the brothers' father contacted police after seeing the ensuing struggle on security video in their home.
However, things got more complicated after Maverick reportedly grabbed his own knife to protect himself. He was allegedly still holding the blade as he escaped out the back door of the home. Maverick was then confronted by responding officers from the Albany Police Department.
According to the lawsuit, Maverick allegedly dropped his knife before being shot five times. Officers then placed the injured college athlete in handcuffs.
College Athlete Underwent Multiple Surgeries After Being Shot by Police
Later, surgeons "removed half of his right lung, his spleen, [and] his appendix. [They also] performed extensive reconstructive surgery on his digestive system," Maverick Lyon's attorneys allege in a statement.
The lawsuit claims Maverick obeyed all of the police officer's commands before being shot multiple times.
The brothers' parents, David and Laura Lyons, also weighed in on the harrowing incident.
"I have always believed that when you call 911, help is coming," they said in a statement via NBC News. "I never imagined that making that call would leave me wondering if my son was going to survive."
"Our family has been through something no family should ever have to experience," they continued. "I called the police that day because I wanted to protect Maverick. Instead, the very people I called for help ended up nearly taking his life."
College Athlete's Brother Reportedly Looked on After Police Allegedly Shot Him Following Hostage Situation
Shortly after the shooting, Dakota allegedly watched from the doorway while still holding a knife. He was later arrested and sentenced to six years in prison after being convicted in June of unlawful use of a weapon, coercion, and attempted felony, according to local outlet KOIN.
Two officers reportedly fired their weapons in the incident, which a judge previously ruled as justified.
Benton County District Attorney Ryan S. Joslin ruled that the officers' decision to "fire their duty weapons in this case was based on an objectively reasonable belief that to do so was necessary in order to protect their own lives or the lives of fellow officers."
The decision "must be made in light of what the officers knew and perceived leading up to and at the exact time their decision was made," Joslin added. "In this case, the officers, in real time, had only fractions of a second to decide how to act."
Meanwhile, the injured college athlete missed his spring season as he recovered from his serious injuries. He's been cleared to return this coming semester.
