Far-right streamer Nick Fuentes claimed Thursday that he was the target of a would-be assassin, fatally shot by police near his Berwyn, Illinois home. Fuentes, known for his racist, sexist, and antisemitic views, made this claim shortly after his first court appearance on a battery charge stemming from a November incident at his home. His address had been leaked online following a controversial social media post.
According to Fuentes, a man arrived at his home with a pistol, crossbow, and incendiary devices. Surveillance footage shared by Fuentes shows a person wearing a motorcycle helmet and carrying what appears to be a handgun and a crossbow. Fuentes claims the man, later identified as 24-year-old John R. Lyons of Westchester, had committed a triple homicide in southern Illinois before arriving at his doorstep.
Berwyn police confirmed responding to a call about a person with a gun near Fuentes’ home around 11:40 p.m. Wednesday. The gunman, after killing two dogs in a nearby home, engaged police in a shootout before being killed. Lyons was wanted in connection with the triple homicide of Janis, Sara, and Caleb Mason in Mahomet, Illinois.
The incident occurred a day before Fuentes’ court appearance for allegedly pepper-spraying 57-year-old Marla Rose, who confronted him about a social media post that read, “Your body, my choice. Forever.” Rose’s visit to Fuentes’ home, prompted by the online post, followed the leaking of his address. Rose claims Fuentes pepper-sprayed and pushed her down his steps. Fuentes, while acknowledging pushing Rose in a 911 call, denied the pepper-spraying and characterized the incident as self-defense against harassment and death threats. He pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor battery charge.
The judge ordered Fuentes and Rose to have no contact and set a status hearing for January 16. Fuentes appeared remotely due to “potential security concerns,” according to Berwyn police. Following the hearing, Fuentes announced his intention to move and requested cryptocurrency donations for security and a new streaming studio, condemning the “nihilistic lynch mob behavior” he believes led to the events.