Sylvester L. Erving Sr., a 45-year-old resident of Peoria, Illinois, passed away on August 30, 2024, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center. Born on May 3, 1979, in Peoria, IL, to Mary Erving and Rayford Rasberry, Sylvester's death was the result of a violent incident in downtown Peoria.
The incident occurred around 2:30 am on Friday, August 30, 2024, in the 500 block of Main Street. According to the investigation, officers responded to a report of a person shot and found Erving unresponsive with a gunshot wound to the head. Despite life-saving measures, Erving succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.
The investigation revealed that Erving was involved in a physical altercation with Lacorles T. Edwards, 40, on the street. Surveillance video showed that Erving attempted to back away and walk away multiple times, but Edwards continued the fight, eventually pulling out a gun and shooting Erving at close range. Edwards then fled the scene, discarding the gun in a bucket of water in an alley behind the businesses on Main Street. The gun was later recovered by the police.
Lacorles T. Edwards was subsequently charged with First Degree Murder and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon. During a detention hearing on September 3, 2024, the State’s Petition to Detain Edwards was granted, ensuring he will remain in custody until trial.
Additionally, Walter Dearmond, 44, was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon in connection with the incident. Video footage showed Dearmond picking up an object from the ground next to Erving after the shooting. Dearmond was later found with a gun and admitted to police that it was the gun he picked up near Erving. Dearmond also had his detention petition granted, and he will remain in custody until trial.
The investigation into this incident is ongoing, and the Peoria Police Department is seeking any additional information from the public regarding the events surrounding Sylvester L. Erving Sr.'s death.
