On the night of May 9, 2023, 34-year-old Lafayette Demone Woods was fatally shot in the 2400 block of Sycamore Street in Cairo, Illinois. Woods was pronounced dead at the scene from gunshot wounds. Authorities requested help from the Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 7 to investigate.

Following the investigation, 42-year-old Samuel L. Lewis of Cairo was arrested on May 16, 2023 and charged with First Degree Murder after evidence indicated he personally discharged the firearm that caused Woods’ death. Lewis was held on a $2 million bond. A jury later found Lewis guilty of First Degree Murder and that he personally fired the weapon; he was sentenced on May 2, 2024 to a total of 70 years, comprised of 45 years for the murder and a 25-year statutory firearm enhancement.

Lafayette Demone Woods, known as Lafay, was born August 20, 1988, in Carbondale. He was a husband and father remembered for his kindness and willingness to help others. He is survived by his wife, Bre’Anna Puckett-Woods, and their three children; funeral services were held May 28, 2023, at Cairo High School with burial at Green Lawn Memorial Garden in Villa Ridge.

If anyone knew Lafay or has information about the events that night, please share what you know.