LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A teenage boy was shot and killed Saturday evening in Louisville's Shawnee neighborhood.

Dwight Mitchell, a spokesperson for Louisville Metro Police, said officers responded to a reported shooting in the 3800 block of Alford Avenue at 8:20 p.m.

Police found a teenage boy who had been shot. According to police, the victim was taken to UofL Hospital, where he later died.

Early Sunday morning, LMPD said officers arrested a 14-year-old boy and charged him with murder in connection to the case.

The victim was identified Sunday afternoon by the Jefferson County Coroner's Office as 15-year-old Da'Jon Anthony Hayes-Burr. His family said he was visiting friends at the time of the shooting.

Honored for heroism months earlier

Hayes-Burr was the hero who stepped in to protect a 12-year-old girl from being assaulted at Waterfront Park during Thunder Over Louisville.

Kristyn Stasel and her 12-year-old daughter, Bristyl, were leaving near Waterfront Park when she said they were approached by a man making vulgar sexual comments to her daughter.

Kristyn said a group of boys stepped in, formed a barrier between them and the man, and then tackled him to the ground.

That's when Hayes-Burr was stabbed. He survived his injuries and was honored by Metro Council in May for his heroic act with a Medal of Honor and a bravery plaque. 

When asked why he intervened in April, Hayes-Burr said it was because he has a little sister and would want someone to help her.

"Since I have a little sister I want someone to help my little sister," Hayes-Burr said.

Stasel said she and Bristyl were planning to see Da'Jon again before the school year started. His family had just returned from vacation, and Bristyl had made him a bracelet.

"Somebody else's baby got hurt defending my baby and he put his life on the line to defend my baby and for that I'm forever grateful," Stasel said.

In a statement following his death, Stasel said the families had not yet had the chance to meet in person.

"I hate that the first time our families meet in person will be at his funeral," Stasel said. "He will forever be my angel. I truly do not believe my daughter and I would have made it out unharmed or dead if he had not saved us."

Family, teachers remember Da'Jon

Dr. Katherine Timmerman, who taught Hayes-Burr as a first grader at Shelby Academy, said she plans to attend his funeral.

"He would just come up and randomly give me a hug and say 'I love you, Dr. T,'" Timmerman said. "He just had this beautiful smile, just this very kind-hearted little boy."

Timmerman said she has lost track of how many students she has mourned to gun violence.

"I hate funerals with a passion," Timmerman said. "You're not supposed to say goodbye to a 15-year-old."

Metro Councilmember Marcus Winkler said stopping violence is the council's top priority. 

"I think one of the things we need to be asking ourselves is how does a 14-year-old have access to a firearm," Winkler said.

The family of Hayes-Burr released a statement calling his death a "tragic and senseless loss."

"Da'Jon was a remarkable young man whose courage touched the lives of so many," the family said. "His bravery and compassion reflected the kind of young man he was every single day. We couldn't have been more proud of the young man he was becoming.

"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."

A GoFundMe was set up to help his family with funeral costs. 

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