Topline: A Louisville teenager who was celebrated for protecting a young girl at a spring festival was killed in a shooting just three months later.
Published: July 29, 2026 4:04 pm ET
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Da’Jon Anthony Hayes-Burr
LOUISVILLE, KY — Da’Jon Anthony Hayes-Burr, a 15-year-old Louisville teen who was honored earlier this year for stepping in to protect a younger girl during Thunder Over Louisville, was shot and killed Saturday night in the city’s Shawnee neighborhood.
Police said officers were called around 8:20 p.m. July 25 to the 3800 block of Alford Avenue, where they found Hayes-Burr suffering from a gunshot wound. He was taken to UofL Hospital, where he died. A 14-year-old was arrested and charged with murder in the case, according to WAVE and a nationally distributed report published by WTHR.
Hayes-Burr had drawn attention in April after he and his friends stepped in to help a 12-year-old girl who was being sexually harassed during Thunder Over Louisville. Police said he was stabbed in the stomach when he intervened. He was later recognized by the Louisville Metro Council for his actions, and Gov. Andy Beshear’s office said the governor sent him a letter and a challenge coin in May to honor his bravery.
After his death, Beshear said Hayes-Burr’s bravery and selflessness left a lasting impact on Louisville and the state. His family also described him as a remarkable young man whose courage touched many lives and said a GoFundMe had been created to help cover funeral expenses.
Police have not publicly released further details about what led to the shooting, and the investigation remains ongoing. Because the person charged is a minor, authorities have said no additional identifying information will be released at this time.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Published: July 29, 2026 4:04 pm ET
Da’Jon Anthony Hayes-Burr
LOUISVILLE, KY — Da’Jon Anthony Hayes-Burr, a 15-year-old Louisville teen who was honored earlier this year for stepping in to protect a younger girl during Thunder Over Louisville, was shot and killed Saturday night in the city’s Shawnee neighborhood.
Police said officers were called around 8:20 p.m. July 25 to the 3800 block of Alford Avenue, where they found Hayes-Burr suffering from a gunshot wound. He was taken to UofL Hospital, where he died. A 14-year-old was arrested and charged with murder in the case, according to WAVE and a nationally distributed report published by WTHR.
Hayes-Burr had drawn attention in April after he and his friends stepped in to help a 12-year-old girl who was being sexually harassed during Thunder Over Louisville. Police said he was stabbed in the stomach when he intervened. He was later recognized by the Louisville Metro Council for his actions, and Gov. Andy Beshear’s office said the governor sent him a letter and a challenge coin in May to honor his bravery.
After his death, Beshear said Hayes-Burr’s bravery and selflessness left a lasting impact on Louisville and the state. His family also described him as a remarkable young man whose courage touched many lives and said a GoFundMe had been created to help cover funeral expenses.
Police have not publicly released further details about what led to the shooting, and the investigation remains ongoing. Because the person charged is a minor, authorities have said no additional identifying information will be released at this time.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Kentucky Teen Honored for Saving Child is Shot and Killed Months Later
A Louisville teenager who was celebrated for protecting a young girl at a spring festival was killed in a shooting just three months later.
By Silvia Torres
Published: July 29, 2026 4:04 pm ET
Da’Jon Anthony Hayes-Burr
LOUISVILLE, KY — Da’Jon Anthony Hayes-Burr, a 15-year-old Louisville teen who was honored earlier this year for stepping in to protect a younger girl during Thunder Over Louisville, was shot and killed Saturday night in the city’s Shawnee neighborhood.
Police said officers were called around 8:20 p.m. July 25 to the 3800 block of Alford Avenue, where they found Hayes-Burr suffering from a gunshot wound. He was taken to UofL Hospital, where he died. A 14-year-old was arrested and charged with murder in the case, according to WAVE and a nationally distributed report published by WTHR.
Hayes-Burr had drawn attention in April after he and his friends stepped in to help a 12-year-old girl who was being sexually harassed during Thunder Over Louisville. Police said he was stabbed in the stomach when he intervened. He was later recognized by the Louisville Metro Council for his actions, and Gov. Andy Beshear’s office said the governor sent him a letter and a challenge coin in May to honor his bravery.
After his death, Beshear said Hayes-Burr’s bravery and selflessness left a lasting impact on Louisville and the state. His family also described him as a remarkable young man whose courage touched many lives and said a GoFundMe had been created to help cover funeral expenses.
Police have not publicly released further details about what led to the shooting, and the investigation remains ongoing. Because the person charged is a minor, authorities have said no additional identifying information will be released at this time.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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