Tragedy struck in Louisville as a high school student’s life was cut short by gun violence, mere months after an act of heroism against harassment. The 15-year-old fell victim to a teenage shooter in a story that’s rattled the community.
Identified as Da’Jon Hayes-Burr, the young teenager succumbed to his injuries following a Saturday night shooting in the Shawnee district of western Louisville, Kentucky. His family, reeling from the loss, decried the incident as both “tragic and senseless,” according to reports from local news station WAVE.
Authorities have since charged a 14-year-old boy with murder, sending shockwaves through the neighborhood.
Hayes-Burr was poised to embark on his sophomore year, but his life was interrupted by violence. His death follows a previous brush with danger where he courageously intervened at the April Thunder Over Louisville airshow. There, he defended Bristol Staisel, a 12-year-old girl, from alleged sexual harassment by a 45-year-old man named Vasilis Sakellaridis.
The confrontation escalated when Sakellaridis allegedly directed inappropriate remarks toward the girl, leading her to call out “pedophile” before Hayes-Burr stepped in, as detailed in reports by WDRB.
Hayes-Burr and his pals formed a shield before tackling the man to the ground.
“He [Sakellaridis] had pure evil in his eyes – that’s the way I can describe it,” Staisel’s mom Kristyn told WDRB.
Sakellaridis, from Oregon, allegedly knifed Hayes-Burr in the stomach, but the boy was widely lauded for helping the schoolgirl.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear presented the boy with a letter and a challenge coin, an award that recognizes bravery.
Despite being knifed, the teen revealed why he intervened.
“Since I got a little sister, I wanted…if something happened to my little sister, I’d want somebody to help,” he told WAVE.
Staisel said she wanted to make Hayes-Burr a bracelet to say thank you, and Kristyn hailed his bravery.
“Finding out a 15-year-old was harmed — three years older than my daughter — just devastated me,” Kristyn said.
“Somebody else’s child got hurt defending mine. He put his life on the line, and for that I’m forever grateful. Those kids are heroes beyond heroes.
“Not only did they save her, but they potentially saved another child that night.”
Sakellaridis was armed with brass knuckles, appeared to be intoxicated and was said to be belligerent to responding medics, according to arrest documents seen by WAVE.
He was “highly intoxicated and causing alarm to other event participants,” police said.
Beshear has led the tributes to Hayes-Burr after news of his death emerged.
“Britainy and I are praying for Da’Jon’s family and all those affected by this tragedy,” he said in a statement.
“Da’Jon was a child of God whose life was taken far too soon, and his bravery and selflessness will leave a lasting impact on the Louisville community and our commonwealth.”
In a fundraiser designed to help the student’s mom Lakeita, family friends said he was a “remarkable young person whose courage and kindness touched everyone.”
“He was only 15 years old and was looking forward to starting his sophomore year in high school this August—a future now heartbreakingly cut short,” they added.
“Lakeita is facing the unimaginable pain of losing her child, and the family is now confronted with unexpected funeral expenses.”
Sakellaridis was charged with assault, public intoxication, disorderly conduct and fleeing police. He pleaded not guilty to the charges at his arraignment in April.