Da’Jon Anthony Hayes-Burr was only fifteen years old, but he already knew what it meant to stand up for someone else. Just a few months ago, the Louisville teen put his own life on the line to save a young girl from an attacker. He walked away with a knife wound and a city Medal of Honor. But on a warm Saturday night, while hanging out with friends, that brave young life was cut terribly short by gun violence.
It was around 8:20 p.m. on July 25 when gunfire broke out in Louisville’s Shawnee neighborhood. Police rushed to the 3800 block of Alford Avenue after neighbors called in reports of shots fired. Officers found Da’Jon lying on the ground, hit by multiple gunshots. First responders hurried him to the University of Louisville Hospital, but doctors could not save him.
Just hours after the shooting, police caught up with a 14-year-old suspect. Authorities arrested the teenager early Sunday morning and charged him with murder. Because the shooter is a minor, police have not released his name to the public. Homicide detectives with the Louisville Metro Police Department are still working hard to piece together what caused the sudden burst of violence.
To those who knew him, Da’Jon was much more than another tragic headline. He was a kind kid with a huge heart who looked out for people around him. Back in April, during the Thunder Over Louisville event near Waterfront Park, Da’Jon showed everyone exactly who he was. A 12-year-old girl was being cornered and sexually harassed by a grown man, and she called out for help.
Da’Jon and his friends did not hesitate for a second. They stepped right in and formed a wall between the girl and her harasser. When the situation turned physical, the group tackled the man to keep the child safe. During the struggle, 45-year-old Vasilis Sakellaridis pulled out a knife and stabbed Da’Jon in the chest. Sakellaridis was later arrested and charged with first-degree assault and fleeing from police.
Da’Jon survived the stabbing and received widespread praise for his extraordinary courage. In May, Louisville city leaders and Metro Council members handed him a bravery plaque and a Medal of Honor. They celebrated him as a true hometown hero who made his city proud. Da’Jon was getting ready to start his sophomore year of high school this August, eager for a fresh start and a bright future.
Now, his family and friends are left trying to process an unbearable loss. His mother is organizing a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral and memorial expenses for her son. The fundraiser describes Da’Jon as a remarkable teenager whose kindness left a lasting mark on everyone he met. A young hero who stood up to protect others is now gone far too soon, leaving a whole community in mourning.
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