Berwyn police fatally shot a 24-year-old man, John R. Lyons, from Westchester, Illinois, on Wednesday night. Lyons was wanted in connection to a triple homicide that occurred earlier the same day in Mahomet, Illinois. The incident unfolded in a residential neighborhood on Home Avenue in Berwyn, shocking residents and highlighting a crime spree that stretched across 150 miles.
Police were dispatched to the 1800 block of Home Avenue around 11:40 p.m. following reports of a male suspect armed with a gun. Upon arrival, officers encountered Lyons, who immediately fled. His attempt to evade the police escalated into a series of alarming events that spanned several blocks.
During his flight, Lyons forcibly entered a residence on the 1800 block of Wenonah Avenue. Inside this home, he shot and killed two dogs, according to police reports. Continuing his erratic behavior, Lyons then ran eastward into a yard on the 1800 block of Home Avenue. Police officers issued commands for Lyons to stop, but he reportedly disobeyed these orders and fired shots at the officers.
In response to the imminent threat, Berwyn police returned fire, fatally striking John R. Lyons. Fortunately, no officers sustained injuries during the exchange. The late-night violence deeply unsettled the Berwyn neighborhood. One resident recounted the terrifying moments, stating, “When I hear it, the voice, the police say, ‘don’t move. Stay there.’ I ran into my room in the front. I saw police officers with the gun, I go hiding.” Another neighbor, Taylor Gean, described being awakened by flashing lights and the subsequent commotion next door. Juana Viccsarra, another resident, recalled hearing screams and observing the suspect with a glove on only his left hand.
Adding a further layer of intrigue to the incident, right-wing commentator Nick Fuentes, who resides on Home Avenue, claimed on social media that Lyons approached his home earlier with a pistol and what appeared to be a crossbow. Fuentes alleged that Lyons yelled his name and attempted to enter his residence.
Berwyn police confirmed that John R. Lyons was indeed the suspect wanted for a triple homicide in Mahomet, Illinois. Earlier on Wednesday, Mahomet police responded to a call at a home on the 1100 block of Riverside Drive just after 9:40 p.m. There, they discovered three victims with life-threatening gunshot wounds. Janis, Sara, and Caleb Mason were identified as the victims in the Mahomet triple homicide. One victim was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other two succumbed to their injuries after being transported to a local hospital.
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office officially identified the deceased suspect as John R. Lyons. The Illinois State Police Public Integrity Task Force is currently conducting an investigation into the Berwyn police shooting. Authorities have stated that there is no ongoing threat to the community. Berwyn police are urging anyone with information related to this incident to contact them at 708-749-6564.
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