Shocking moment college athlete shot by cops — after they mistook him for his knife-wielding, drug-addled brother

A 21-year-old college lacrosse player, Maverick Lyon, says Albany police shot him five times and used a Taser after mistaking him for his brother, who had allegedly taken him hostage at knifepoint. The lawsuit alleges officers failed to recognise that Maverick was seeking help and had dropped his knife; the case raises questions about how police responded to a reported hostage situation.

According to the lawsuit, Maverick was shot in the chest, back and face at his family home in North Albany, Oregon, on 6 January. He spent four weeks in hospital and missed a semester and his senior lacrosse season, though he has since been able to return to play. His brother Dakota was later convicted of weapon-related offences, coercion and attempted felony and is serving six years in prison; the allegations against police are claims in a lawsuit.