Dylan Jonathan McCalester, a 16-year-old male from Sherrard, Illinois, tragically lost his life on December 15, 2020, in Rock Island. Dylan was a student at Sherrard High School and was known for his love of basketball, spending time with friends, and enjoying the beach at Fyre Lake. He was also fond of his dogs, Gracie and Patches, and cherished his time with his girlfriend, Sawyer.
On the fateful day, Dylan sustained a gunshot wound to his chest while driving in the 600 block of 42nd Avenue in Rock Island. The injury caused him to crash into another vehicle. Despite being rushed to UnityPoint Health – Trinity Rock Island, he was unable to recover from his injuries. The Rock Island County Coroner, Brian Gustafson, later confirmed that the gunshot wound was the cause of his death.
The investigation into Dylan's death led to the identification of Darvion Lard, a 23-year-old male from Davenport, as the prime suspect. An arrest warrant was issued for Lard on charges of first-degree murder. The Rock Island Police Department, along with the U.S. Marshals Service, worked tirelessly to locate Lard. Nearly two years after the incident, Lard was captured in Moline and subsequently transported to the Rock Island County Jail, where he was held on a $1 million bond.
In July 2024, Darvion Lard was sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to an amended count of first-degree murder. The sentencing took place in the Rock Island County Circuit Court. The case brought some closure to Dylan's family and friends, who had been seeking justice for nearly two years.
