Eric Ervins, a 24-year-old African American male, was tragically murdered on August 11, 2018, in Joliet, Illinois. Eric, affectionately known as "E-Daug," was born on June 12, 1994, and was a resident of Joliet at the time of his death. He was shot multiple times at the notorious Fairview Public Housing projects on The Hill, a location known for its high crime rate. Eric was pronounced dead at 11:04 p.m.
at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox.
Eric had a criminal history and was known to be a gang member. He had been released from the Will County Jail in late June 2018 after being arrested on numerous charges, including possession of a firearm by a felon, illegal ammunition possession, resisting arrest, and criminal trespass. On the night of his murder, Eric was shot in the rear parking lot of the Fairview Public Housing complex. Despite a large crowd of residents gathered around the scene, no witnesses came forward to provide information to the police.
The investigation into Eric's murder was extensive, with the Joliet Police Department working tirelessly to gather leads and recover video surveillance from the housing complex. However, it wasn't until almost two years later, in February 2020, that an arrest was made. Malik Bridges, a 28-year-old resident of Joliet, was arrested and charged with three counts of first-degree murder and two felony weapons charges. Bridges had a criminal history and was already incarcerated in the Will County Jail on unrelated charges at the time of his arrest.
In May 2024, Malik Bridges pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in connection with Eric Ervins' death. He was sentenced to 20 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, with credit for the time he had already served while in custody. The sentencing took place in Courtroom 404 of Will County Judge Vincent Cornelius. The Fairview Public Housing projects, where the murder occurred, have since been demolished.
Eric Ervins' death highlights the ongoing issues of gang violence and crime in certain areas of Joliet. Despite the efforts of law enforcement, the lack of cooperation from witnesses and the challenges of gathering evidence made the investigation difficult. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of community involvement in solving crimes and bringing justice to victims and their families.
