In the suburbs of Chicago, a man believed to be responsible for the deaths of three individuals in central Illinois was shot and killed by police after he opened fire on officers. This incident occurred in Berwyn, where police received a report late Wednesday night regarding a suspect armed with a gun.
According to authorities, officers arrived at the scene around 11:30 p.m. The suspect fled but soon forced his way into a residence, where he tragically shot and killed two dogs. Following this, he escaped into a nearby yard and refused to stop despite police orders. In a turn of events, the individual fired at the officers, who then returned fire, resulting in his death.
The man has been identified as 24-year-old John Lyons, hailing from Westchester, which is located just west of Chicago. Police have indicated that Lyons is a suspect in the homicides of three individuals at a residence in Mahomet, situated approximately 120 miles southwest of Chicago. The Champaign County Coroner, Laurie Brauer, reported that one of the victims, 26-year-old Sara E. Mason, was pronounced dead at the scene when first responders arrived around 9:40 p.m. on Wednesday.
The other two victims, Janis Mason, 61, and Caleb Mason, 23, were both declared dead at a nearby medical facility, according to local news reports. On Thursday evening, a vigil took place for the victims at a local church, providing a space for the community to mourn and remember those lost.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the Mason family and the events leading to Lyons’ death in Berwyn, as they seek to piece together the events of that tragic night. The investigations remain active, and additional updates from law enforcement are anticipated as they gather more information.