Sylvester L. Erving Sr., 45, of Peoria, Illinois, died of a gunshot wound to the head following a violent encounter in downtown Peoria in the early hours of August 30, 2024. Officers found Erving unresponsive on Main Street around 2:30 am and he later died at OSF St. Francis Medical Center. Surveillance shows Erving tried repeatedly to back away and walk off during a physical altercation, but the other man drew a gun and shot him at close range.

Peoria police say Lacorles T. Edwards, 40, was the person seen shooting Erving; Edwards was charged with First Degree Murder and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon and ordered detained pending trial. A second man, Walter Dearmond, 44, was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon after video allegedly showed him picking up an object near Erving and later admitting to possessing the recovered gun. The investigation remains ongoing.

If anyone saw the disturbance on Main Street that night or has information about what happened, please contact the Peoria Police Department.