BERWYN, IL — Berwyn police fatally shot a man overnight after he fired at officers and killed two dogs, according to authorities, who said the man is also believed to have killed three people downstate hours earlier.
The man has been identified as John R. Lyons, 24, of the 1800 block of Newcastle Avenue in Westchester, according to Cook County authorities.
Police in downstate Mahomet were called shortly after 9:30 p.m. Wednesday to a home in the area of the 1100 block of Riverside Drive for a reported shooting and found three people with life-threatening wounds, authorities said.
The victims were identified as 26-year-old Sara E. Mason, who died at the scene, as well as Janis L. Mason, 61, and Caleb M. Mason, 23, both of whom died at Carle Foundation Hospital, WCIA reported.
About two hours after the first shooting, Berwyn police responded to the 1800 block of Home Avenue for a report of a man with a gun, according to authorities. The man fled on foot, forcibly entered a home in the 1800 block of Wenonah Avenue, and fatally shot two dogs, authorities said.
He then fled east to a yard in the 1800 block of Home Avenue, disobeyed police commands to stop and started shooting at officers, according to authorities. Officers returned fire and fatally struck the man, authorities said, adding no officers were injured.
The Illinois State Police Public Integrity Task Force is investigating, according to authorities. Anyone with information or video surveillance is asked to call Berwyn police at 708-749-6564, according to authorities, who noted the phone number is a confidential line.
