Peoria Standard

September 3, 2024, Peoria, IL – Today, Lacorles T. Edwards, 40, was charged with First Degree Murder and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon for shooting and killing Sylvester L. Erving, 45, last Friday morning in downtown Peoria. The State’s Petition to Detain Edwards was granted during today’s detention hearing, meaning he will remain in custody until trial.

Around 2:30 am on Friday, August 30, officers responded to the 500 block of Main Street on a report of a person shot. When officers arrived, they found Erving unresponsive with a gunshot wound to the head. Despite life-saving measures, Erving died at the hospital. Officers obtained surveillance video that showed Erving approached Edwards on the street, and the two fought. Erving is seen backing up and trying to walk away multiple times. Edwards, however, continued to fight with Erving, then pulled out a gun and shot him at close range. Edwards fled the scene and ditched the gun. Officers recovered the gun from a bucket of water in the alley behind the businesses on Main Street. According to witnesses, Erving also had a gun.

Walter Dearmond, 44, was also charged today with Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon as a result of this incident. After Erving was shot, video footage shows Dearmond pick something up off the ground next to Erving. Dearmond was later located with a gun and told police the gun was what he picked up near Erving. The State’s Petition to Detain Dearmond was granted during today’s detention hearing, meaning he will remain in custody until trial.

This investigation is ongoing. If you have information regarding this incident, please contact the Peoria Police Department at 309-673-4521.

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