Berwyn officers fatally shoot man wanted for triple homicide in downstate Illinois

BERWYN, Ill. - A man suspected of a triple homicide was fatally shot by police Wednesday night after a series of violent incidents in Berwyn.

At approximately 11:38 p.m., Berwyn police responded to a report of a person with a gun in the 1800 block of Home Avenue. When officers arrived, they spotted a man who ran off on foot and managed to escape.

He then forced his way into a home in the 1800 block of Wenonah Avenue, where he shot and killed two dogs, according to police.

Officers later located the man fleeing east into a yard on Home Avenue. 

Police said the suspect ignored their verbal commands to stop and opened fire on officers.

In response, Berwyn officers returned fire, fatally striking the man. No officers were injured in the exchange.

"It was around 11:30 last night. We heard a bunch of stuff going on in the gangway. Heard cops talking and everything. Was woken up to yelling and then we heard possible gunshots…," one neighbor said. 

According to the Cook County Medical Examiner, the suspect that was killed was identified as 24-year-old John Lyons, of Westchester. 

Initial investigations revealed that Lyons was a suspect in a triple homicide that occurred at 9:41 p.m. that same night in the 1100 block of Riverside Drive in Mahomet, Ill.

The three victims, who were family members, were identified by the Champaign County Coroner on Thursday as 61-year-old Janis Mason, 23-year-old Caleb Mason and 26-year-old Sara Mason. 

The Illinois State Police Public Integrity Task Force is now investigating the incident. 

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Berwyn police hotline at 708-749-6564. 

This is a developing story and we'll bring more updates as they become available.