By admin 
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE/Gray News) – A 15-year-old from Kentucky is being remembered as a hero after he was killed in a shooting months after saving a 12-year-old girl from sexual harassment.
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Louisville Metro Police responded around 8:20 p.m. Saturday to reports of a shooting in the Shawnee neighborhood. At the scene, police found 15-year-old Da’Jon Anthony Hayes-Burr, who had been shot. He was taken to the hospital, where he died of his injuries.
A 14-year-old boy was arrested in the case and charged with one count of murder.
Da’Jon’s family said in a statement they are devastated by his “tragic and senseless” loss.
“Da’Jon was a remarkable young man whose courage touched the lives of so many,” read the statement in part. “His mother is facing the unimaginable heartbreak of burying her firstborn son. No parent should ever have to endure this kind of pain, and no family should have to experience such a devastating loss.”
The family confirmed Da’Jon was the same person who was stabbed while trying to defend a 12-year-old girl from sexual harassment during Thunder Over Louisville back in April.
At that time, Da’Jon said he and his friends stepped in to help the girl, Bristol Staisel, who was being sexually harassed by a 45-year-old man. Police said that when they intervened, the man, later identified as Vasilis Sakellaridis, stabbed Da’Jon in the stomach.
Da’Jon recovered and was honored for his bravery by the Louisville Metro Council in the weeks that followed the incident.
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In their statement following Da’Jon’s death, his family asked for prayers and for the community to honor the 15-year-old’s memory by “choosing kindness, standing up for others, and helping us put an end to the senseless violence that continues to take the lives of our young people.”
“Da’Jon will always be remembered as a hero, a loving son, a cherished family member, and a young man whose courage will never be forgotten,” read the statement in part.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear released a statement Sunday mourning Da’Jon’s death. In May, after the teenager was stabbed, Beshear sent him a letter thanking him for his courage and included a challenge coin recognizing his bravery.
“Britainy and I are praying for Da’Jon’s family and all those affected by this tragedy,” said Beshear in his 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.”
The investigation into the shooting remains ongoing, but due to the age of the individual charged, police say no further information will be released at this time.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help Da’Jon’s family with funeral expenses.
Editor’s note: WAVE News makes no representations or warranties of any kind about the authenticity, accuracy or reliability of any GoFundMe campaign. Any donations you make to such campaigns are strictly at your own risk. If you have any questions related to the authenticity, accuracy or reliability of a GoFundMe campaign, please contact GoFundMe directly or consult the GoFundMe Guarantee Policy.
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