Orest Schur, a former U.S. Space Force sergeant, has been convicted of murder after fatally shooting a 14-year-old boy and injuring another teen in a tragic incident that occurred in North Aurora, Colorado. Schur believed the teenagers were attempting to steal his car, which led to a deadly confrontation.
The Incident and Shooting
The events leading to the fatal shooting began on July 5, 2023, when two minors attempted to break into Schur’s Hyundai Elantra around 11 p.m. Residents in Schur’s neighborhood reported hearing a car alarm and saw two people in all black trying to break into the car. Schur, who was the owner of the vehicle, confronted the teens as they fled the scene in another suspected stolen car.
Schur, armed with a weapon, followed the vehicle in his own car. The teens crashed the stolen vehicle a short distance away. As they tried to escape, Schur opened fire, striking both teens. The 14-year-old, Xavier Daniel Kirk, was fatally shot, while the 13-year-old was injured but survived.
Schur’s Initial Claims and Investigation
Initially, Schur told police that the teens had fired upon him as they fled. However, the investigation soon contradicted his version of events. Authorities found the crashed vehicle, a Kia Rio, with a bullet hole in the trunk and shattered rear windshield, indicating that Schur’s shots had struck the vehicle.
It appeared that a bullet had passed through the back of the front driver’s seat.
Schur, 27 at the time of the incident, was a technical sergeant stationed at Buckley Space Force Base in Aurora. His wife informed authorities that Schur had extensive weapons training and had served two tours in Afghanistan, which likely contributed to his ability to handle firearms.
Legal Outcome and Charges
Schur was charged with second-degree murder after the shooting. Colorado law does not have a “Stand Your Ground” law, although it permits the use of force without a duty to retreat in public spaces. The jury convicted Schur of murder, and he now faces a sentence of 16 to 48 years in prison under Colorado law.
The case has sparked discussions about the use of force in situations where individuals believe they are protecting their property, and how law enforcement and the courts interpret such cases.
Sentencing and Court Date
Schur is scheduled to be sentenced on August 15, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. The tragic death of Xavier Daniel Kirk has left a community grieving, while Schur’s conviction serves as a reminder of the dangers of using deadly force in non-life-threatening situations.
