A Berwyn, Illinois, father, Scott Wishecoby, is grappling with the harrowing aftermath of a home invasion that not only threatened his family but also resulted in the death of his two beloved dogs. The intruder, later identified as 24-year-old John Lyons, became the center of a violent episode that unfolded in Wishecoby’s home on a Wednesday night, leaving the residence scarred by gunfire and the family deeply traumatized.
Scott Wishecoby recounted the terrifying moments when his home became a battleground. He described hearing unsettling noises before unleashing his dogs into the basement to investigate. Upon approaching the basement stairs himself, Wishecoby was confronted with a laser sight and then a barrage of bullets. “He just started shooting at me,” Wishecoby stated, reliving the shock of encountering an armed assailant in his own home. Little did he know at the time, the man he faced was 24-year-old John Lyons, suspected of a triple murder that had occurred 150 miles away in downstate Illinois.
Despite the festive decorations adorning his home for the holiday season, Wishecoby is now enveloped in a profound sense of loss. The joy of the season is overshadowed by the stark absence of his two canine companions, Missy, an 8-year-old Pitbull, and Bear, her pup, both of whom were fatally shot during the home invasion. “The emptiness is there, for sure,” Wishecoby expressed, highlighting the deep void left by the sudden and violent death of his dogs.
Wishecoby detailed the sequence of events leading up to the gunfire. He recalled hearing “thumping” sounds and called out to inquire if anyone was downstairs before sending his dogs to investigate. The dogs’ barks prompted Wishecoby to descend the stairs, where he was met with the chilling sight of a laser and then the immediate eruption of gunfire from 24-year-old John Lyons. Wishecoby and his son were forced to flee as Lyons continued shooting.
Police reports later confirmed the intruder as 24-year-old Westchester resident John Lyons, linking him to a triple homicide in Mahomet, Illinois. After the initial confrontation in the basement, Lyons pursued Wishecoby upstairs, attempting to force open a door. Shots were fired through the wall during this struggle before Lyons ultimately escaped through the basement door.
The violent episode concluded when Berwyn police officers encountered and fatally shot John Lyons shortly after he fled Wishecoby’s residence. While the threat posed by 24-year-old John Lyons was neutralized, the tragic outcome included the loss of Missy and Bear, leaving Wishecoby and his family heartbroken.
In the wake of the tragedy, the Berwyn community has rallied around Scott Wishecoby, offering support during this difficult time. Wishecoby mentioned receiving a Christmas box from the mayor, filled with holiday dinner provisions, a gesture of solidarity and compassion. Reflecting on the ordeal, Wishecoby emphasized the importance of cherishing loved ones, stating, “Love the family that you have and that you’re with, because you never know when.”
The investigation into the police shooting of John Lyons is ongoing, led by the Illinois State Police Public Integrity Task Force. The focus remains on understanding the full scope of the events that connected 24-year-old John Lyons to both a triple homicide and the Berwyn home invasion, and on supporting the community impacted by this violence.
