Riverwoods man dies after being stabbed during argument over pot

Lake County authorities said a 19-year-old Riverwoods man died after being stabbed Sunday afternoon in an argument over marijuana.

John Herres was pronounced dead at 11 p.m. Sunday at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, where he was airlifted after the stabbing.

An autopsy Monday found the cause of death was a single stab wound to the abdomen, said Lake County Coroner Richard Keller. Toxicology results are pending, he said.

James E. Lewis, 42, of the 26900 block of Route 134 in Ingleside, is charged with first-degree murder in connection with the incident, which took place at his home about 1:30 p.m. Sunday, officials said.

Lake County sheriff's spokesman Christopher Thompson said in a news release Monday that Herres and Lewis got into an argument over "a small amount" of marijuana that Lewis had purchased for himself, Herres and a female eyewitness.

Thompson said Herres and the woman accused Lewis of withholding the drugs. Lewis became enraged, produced a 5-inch blade from his waistband and stabbed Herres in the stomach, Thompson said.

Lewis was taken into custody Sunday night. Charges of first-degree murder were approved early Monday by the Lake County state's attorney's office.

Lewis is expected to appear in bond court at 9 a.m. Tuesday.

"James Lewis has shown a complete lack of respect for the sanctity of human life as he was able to murder a young and vibrant 19-year-old man over a small amount of marijuana," Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran said.

Investigators had originally reported that Herres was trying to break up a fight between Lewis and the woman. However, Curran said, investigators learned late Sunday the argument was over drugs.

Herres was a swimming instructor and lifeguard at Central Lake YMCA in Vernon Hills.

"The outpouring of support and love for John at the YMCA has been overwhelming," said Dave Hayward, president and CEO of the Lake County Family YMCA, of which Central Lake is a part. "He left a lot of wonderful memories and truly left a lot of positive memories upon our staff and the youth he worked for."

Hayward said clergy have been called in to the YMCA to meet with staff members.

Herres also was a student at Libertyville High School in 2008. Libertyville High School was closed Monday in observance of Presidents Day.

Killed: Early reports mistakenly said teen was breaking up fight