Former Space Force Sergeant Sentenced for Fatal Shooting

A former U.S. Space Force sergeant, who killed a 14-year-old during an incident involving two carjackers outside his home, has been sentenced to over 54 years in prison.

Orest Schur, age 29, became emotional while expressing remorse for the shooting that resulted in the death of 14-year-old Xavier Kirk. This sentencing took place in Adams County, Bloomfield, on August 15, 2023. The District Attorney’s Office has confirmed the details.

“I’m truly sorry for the pain, sadness, and trauma caused by my actions and the impact this has had on so many lives,” he said.

The shooting also left a 13-year-old hospitalized.

On July 5, 2023, Schur, then a technical sergeant stationed in Aurora, was awakened by a car alarm outside his apartment. Grabbing a firearm, he headed to his Hyundai Elantra and encountered two individuals dressed in black attempting to break into the vehicle.

Schur confronted them, but as one attempted to flee, he followed in his car and discharged his weapon multiple times.

The getaway car ultimately crashed into a nearby fence, four blocks from Schur’s residence.

As Kirk and his accomplice attempted to escape the damaged vehicle, Schur continued to fire. Kirk was struck by bullets in his head and back and later pronounced dead at a local hospital. The 13-year-old, who had been driving the getaway car, sustained a gunshot wound to the back and sought help at a relative’s home before being taken to the hospital.

Following the incident, Schur was arrested and faced charges of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. He was later found guilty of lesser charges of second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder.

During the trial, Schur argued he acted in self-defense, claiming the two teenagers had posed a threat. However, investigators found that all shell casings came from his weapon, with no evidence that the teens were armed during the incident.

Judge Carin Dutz stated that a trained sergeant should have recognized the risks of using deadly force in such a situation.

Schur faced a maximum sentence of 80 years.

District Attorney Brian Mason described the incident as “vigilante violence at its worst,” emphasizing the tragic consequences of Schur’s actions: “The 14-year-old boy will never have a chance to grow up because of what the defendant did.”

At the hearing, Kirk’s family expressed their grief and questioned why Schur chose to shoot at unarmed teenagers. Kirk’s father stated, “What Mr. Schur did was senseless. They weren’t even able to take the car.”

Other relatives echoed sentiments about the vulnerability of youth, noting the mistakes kids can make. One relative commented, “We’re not trying to excuse their actions, but what’s unacceptable is that Orest Schur’s car hadn’t even been stolen.”

Prosecutors also shared a statement from the injured teenager, expressing that resorting to lethal force against unarmed teens was unjust and unsafe. “I survived, but I am not the same. My friends never made it,” he said.