Triple-homicide suspect killed by Berwyn police
A man who was wanted for a triple homicide in downstate Illinois was killed during a shootout Wednesday night with Berwyn police, the suburban police department said.
The suspect has been identified as John R. Lyons, 24, of Westchester, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.
Officers responded to a call of a man with a gun in the 1800 block of Home Avenue in Berwyn just before midnight, then trailed Lyons as he forced his way into a home in the 1800 block of Wenonah Avenue, according to a news release from Berwyn police.
Lyons allegedly fatally shot two dogs at the residence on Wenonah before fleeing back to Home Avenue.
When officers ordered him to stop, Lyons allegedly fired shots at them, and at least one officer returned fire and Lyons was fatally shot. No officers were injured.
Police determined Lyons was wanted in a triple homicide in Mahomet earlier in the day Wednesday.
Around 9:40 p.m. Wednesday, Mahomet police found three family members with gunshot wounds in a home in the 1100 block of Riverside Drive, according to Mahomet police.
Janis L. Mason, 61, and Caleb M. Mason, 23, were both pronounced dead at the Carle Foundation Hospital Emergency Department in Urbana shortly after 10 p.m. Wednesday, according to the Champaign County coroner. Sara E. Mason, 26, was pronounced dead at the scene in Mahomet.
The Champaign County sheriff and coroner assisted in the response to the shooting.
The Illinois State Police Public Integrity Task Force is taking over the investigation, Berwyn police said.
The investigations regarding the triple homicide and the police shooting are both in their early stages and no further information is available, Illinois State Police said in a statement.