A high school student from Louisville was tragically shot and killed by a teenage gunman, just three months after he had been stabbed while trying to protect a 12-year-old girl from sexual harassment.
Da’Jon Hayes-Burr, 15, succumbed to gunshot injuries after an incident in Shawnee, a neighborhood in western Louisville, Kentucky, on Saturday night. His family has called the incident “tragic and senseless,” according to a WAVE report.
A 14-year-old boy has been charged with murder in connection with the shooting.
Hayes-Burr, who was on the brink of starting his sophomore year, had previously intervened to protect Bristol Staisel, who was allegedly being harassed by 45-year-old Vasilis Sakellaridis during the Thunder Over Louisville airshow in April.
Sakellaridis allegedly made inappropriate comments to the girl, prompting her to call out “pedophile” before Hayes-Burr intervened, as reported by WDRB.
Hayes-Burr and his friends formed a protective barrier and managed to subdue the man.
“He [Sakellaridis] had pure evil in his eyes – that’s the way I can describe it,” said Kristyn, Staisel’s mother, in an interview with WDRB.
Sakellaridis, who is from Oregon, allegedly stabbed Hayes-Burr in the stomach. Despite the injury, Hayes-Burr was praised for his courageous actions to protect the girl.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear honored Hayes-Burr with a letter and a challenge coin, recognizing his bravery.
Explaining his intervention, the teen said, “Since I got a little sister, I wanted…if something happened to my little sister, I’d want somebody to help,” as reported by WAVE.
Staisel expressed her gratitude by wanting to make Hayes-Burr a bracelet, while Kristyn praised 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 reportedly carrying brass knuckles, appeared intoxicated, and was belligerent towards medics, according to arrest documents seen by WAVE.
Police mentioned that he was “highly intoxicated and causing alarm to other event participants.”
Governor Beshear led the tributes for Hayes-Burr following his death.
“Britainy and I are praying for Da’Jon’s family and all those affected by this tragedy,” he stated.
“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.”
A fundraiser has been organized to aid Hayes-Burr’s mother, Lakeita. Family friends described him as 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 stated.
“Lakeita is facing the unimaginable pain of losing her child, and the family is now confronted with unexpected funeral expenses.”
Sakellaridis faces charges of assault, public intoxication, disorderly conduct, and fleeing police. He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in April.
