Louisville teen killed in shooting months after defending girl from harassment
Fifteen-year-old Da’Jon Hayes-Burr was fatally shot in Louisville’s Shawnee neighborhood, three months after he was stabbed while protecting a 12-year-old girl at an airshow.
A 15-year-old Louisville high-school student, Da’Jon Hayes-Burr, was killed Saturday night after a 14-year-old boy shot him in the Shawnee area of western Louisville. The tragedy comes only three months after Hayes-Burr was stabbed while intervening on behalf of 12-year-old Bristol Staisel, who was being verbally harassed by 45-year-old Vasilis Sakellaridis at the Thunder Over Louisville airshow. Hayes-Burr and friends tackled Sakellaridis, who was later arrested on assault, public intoxication, disorderly conduct and fleeing police charges.
Governor Andy Beshear presented Hayes-Burr with a letter and a challenge coin recognizing his courage. Sakellaridis pleaded not guilty to his charges. The teen shooter now faces a murder charge, and a community fundraiser has been organized to support Hayes-Burr’s mother, Lakeita, with funeral costs.
Why it matters
The incident highlights ongoing youth violence and the community’s response to acts of bravery and tragedy.
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