Demond W. Steward, a 30-year-old African American male from Cahokia Heights, Illinois, tragically lost his life on August 13, 2022, in East St. Louis. The incident occurred in the parking lot of the Ivy Ultra Lounge, located in the 900 block of St. Louis Avenue. Steward's death was the result of a shooting, which has since been classified as a homicide.
Following the incident, the Illinois State Police launched an investigation that led to the identification of Jermany Rickman, a 36-year-old male from Maryville, Illinois, as the primary suspect. On August 26, 2022, the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office charged Rickman with first-degree murder and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. Despite these charges, Rickman has remained at large, with law enforcement agencies issuing multiple appeals to the public for assistance in locating him. Rickman is considered armed and dangerous, and there is an outstanding federal warrant for his arrest related to a motion to revoke supervised release issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office on August 30, 2022.
The investigation into Demond W. Steward's death has been ongoing, with authorities urging anyone with information about the incident or Rickman's whereabouts to come forward. The case has drawn significant attention due to the violent nature of the crime and the continued efforts to apprehend the suspect. The community remains hopeful that justice will be served for Steward and his family.
