Oregon College Athlete Sues Police Who Shot Him After He Escaped Being Held Hostage

ALBANY, Ore. — An Oregon college lacrosse player who says police shot him five times after he escaped being held hostage has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit alleging excessive force, battery, and negligence.

Maverick Lyon, who was 21 at the time of the January 6, 2026 shooting, spent four weeks in the hospital and missed his final collegiate lacrosse season and the spring semester of his senior year, according to his attorneys.

The lawsuit alleges that Officers Matt Thomas and Engle Diaz shot him after he managed to escape from his brother, who had held him hostage at knifepoint.

According to the lawsuit, Maverick had also secured a knife but dropped it to the ground and emerged from the house with his hands extended where officers could see them.

He has filed a federal lawsuit against the two officers, the City of Albany, Benton County, and county probation officer Joshua Hall.

The incident occurred when Maverick, then a business major at Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire, returned home for winter break. His older brother, Dakota Lyon, who was under post-prison supervision, was being housed by his parents.

Probation Officials Had Been Warned That His Brother Was Exhibiting Dangerous Behavior

Allegedly, Benton County probation officials had been warned the previous day that Dakota had relapsed into drug use and was exhibiting dangerous behavior.

According to the lawsuit, the probation officer assigned to Dakota’s case failed to take protective action.

Their father, David Lyon, witnessed Dakota taking Maverick hostage at knifepoint on the home’s security camera and contacted 911, the lawsuit says.

The lawsuit claims that Officer Thomas fired twice and Officer Diaz fired five times, shooting Maverick even after he fell to the ground in a fetal position, facing away from the officers.

When Maverick was rushed to Samaritan Corvallis General Hospital, he underwent an emergency eight-hour operation, according to his attorneys.

They said half of his right lung, his spleen, and his appendix were removed, and extensive reconstructive surgery was performed on his digestive system.

After the incident, Benton County District Attorney Ryan S. Joslin concluded on March 5, 2026, that the officers’ use of deadly force was legally justified.

He said the officers reasonably believed it was “necessary in order to protect their own lives or the lives of fellow officers.”

The prosecutor’s review said Maverick still held a large knife as he exited the house. Lyon’s lawsuit disputes the timing, alleging he had dropped it before either officer fired.