Peoria teen sentenced to 55 years for murder

A 16-year-old boy was sentenced to 55 years in prison for killing another teenager in Peoria, Illinois. Byron A. Jarvis was found guilty of first-degree murder for the shooting of Dahvie Brown-Bey on August 22, 2023. Peoria County Circuit Judge Katherine Gorman delivered the sentence, emphasizing the seriousness of Jarvis' actions. She stated, "These actions weren't cute, not fine and not a video game." Brown-Bey's family spoke in court, describing him as a quiet child who loved football. They expressed forgiveness towards Jarvis and conveyed their hope that he would understand the consequences of his actions. They noted, "You didn't just destroy us; you destroyed yourself." Jarvis was arrested in September 2023. The shooting took place during the day in front of several bystanders, including children. Surveillance footage showed Jarvis shooting Brown-Bey three times at close range. Since Jarvis was 14 at the time of the crime, the state successfully transferred his case to adult court in December 2023. The trial began a year later, with evidence including witness testimony from a 10-year-old who saw the shooting and identified Jarvis as the shooter. The jury took just one hour to reach a guilty verdict. Jarvis is eligible for parole after 20 years and will serve his sentence in both juvenile and adult facilities.