PEORIA, Ill. – A man has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in a fatal shooting nearly two years ago in downtown Peoria.
The Peoria County State’s Attorney’s Office says 42-year-old Larcorles Edwards also pleaded guilty Monday to Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon. Edwards was then sentenced to 25 years in prison.
Prosecutors say the incident stemmed from a shooting on August 30th, 2024 in the area of Main and Madison, where police officers found 45-year-old Sylvester Erving with a gunshot wound to the head. Erving later died at a hospital.
Surveillance video reportedly showed Erving first approaching Edwards on the street before the two started fighting. Edwards then reportedly pulled out a gun and shot Erving, then fled the scene and ditched the gun. Witnesses reported that Erving also had a gun.
Police reportedly found the gun in a bucket of water in an alley behind a Main Street business.
Prosecutors say Edwards claimed he acted in self-defense after a physical fight between him and Erving, but evidence showed his belief was not reasonable.
Edwards must serve 20 years on the murder charge, then five years on the weapons charge.
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