Who was Xan Korman? Butler University student 'caught in crossfire' killed in drive-by shooting
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA: A popular Butler University student and aspiring photographer reportedly died on Thursday, August 19, after being wounded in a drive-by shooting in Maryland over the weekend.
Xan Korman, a photographer and photo editor with the university's student newspaper, The Collegian, succumbed to his injuries from the shootout, according to his mother's emotional Facebook post. MEAWW previously reported how a teacher sparked outrage over her comments on the passing of 10-year-old Persayus Davis-May, who tragically died in a shootout. And earlier this week, we reported how a 13-year-old student, shot dead by his 'bully' classmate, was lauded for his bravery.
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“It is with a very broken heart that we tell you that we said our final goodbyes to Xan this afternoon,” Carolyn Korman wrote about her son's death. “He fought as long as he could and the medical team tried every possible intervention.” The embattled mother said that Xan “was caught in the crossfire by simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time.” In the same message, Korman's mother revealed that the police had recovered 30 shell casings from 4 different guns, one of which was a rifle.
Who was Xan Korman?
Authorities are yet to release further information about the shooting incident. Meanwhile, the university released the following statement on the student's demise. "Today, the Butler University community is mourning the tragic loss of student Xan Korman, a rising junior who was residing in his home state of Maryland at the time of his death. Xan was a photographer and editor with Butler’s student newspaper and a friend to many on campus. We offer our most heartfelt condolences to Xan’s family, friends, and instructors, and ask that their privacy be respected during this most difficult time."
Korman's death shocked the school community. "On behalf of the student body, we mourn the passing of our fellow student, Xan Korman. He will be remembered for his many contributions to the Butler community. During this difficult time, please provide support for one another and take advantage of the available resources," Butler's student government association (SGA) tweeted.
On behalf of the student body, we mourn the passing of our fellow student, Xan Korman. He will be remembered for his many contributions to the Butler community. During this difficult time, please provide support for one another and take advantage of the available resources.
— Butler SGA (@ButlerSGA) August 20, 2021
A university spokesperson told the New York Post that Korman was a talented photographer and often captured images of the Butler men's basketball team for the student newspaper. Butler University's head basketball coach LaVall Jordan prayed for Korman's grieving family on Twitter. "So sad to hear about Xan Korman. @Xanshotyou was a talented young man who was a true Bulldog at heart. Praying for comfort over his family. #RIP," he wrote.
So sad to hear about Xan Korman. @Xanshotyou was a talented young man who was a true Bulldog at heart. Praying comfort over his family. 💔 🙏🏾#RIP
— LaVall Jordan (@LaVall_Jordan) August 19, 2021
“Devastating news of a life taken by senseless violence,” Butler’s men’s assistant basketball coach Omar Lowery added on Twitter. “Xan Korman was a young man whose incredible talent captured time for our team, my family and so many others."
Devastating news of a life taken by senseless violence. Xan Korman was young man whose incredible talent captured time for our team, my family and so many others. May the Lord continue to cover our children and his family. 🙏🏿
— Coach Omar Lowery (@CoachOmarLowery) August 19, 2021
"Xan was an incredibly skilled cameraman who was a true grinder," a friend chimed in. "Always in the gym, always networking. He took his skills to Butler University where he did a lot of work with Butler hoops and Butler athletics. Love and peace to the Korman family."
Xan was an incredibly skilled camera man who was a true grinder.. Always in the gym, always networking. He took his skills to Butler University where he did a lot of work with Butler hoops and Butler athletics.
— Capitol Hoops (@CapitolHoops) August 20, 2021
Love and peace to the Korman family.
In an interview with WISH-TV, Henry Bredemeier, who worked with Korman at The Collegian, showered praise on his photography skills. “Xan was a really nice and kind person,” Bredemeier told the news outlet. “Everyone that knew him knew that. He was so talented. His passion was photography and videography and he was amazing at it. I think a lot of people who knew Xan knew how passionate he was about that and how much he cared about that. How much he cared about people and his friends. He will be truly missed.” Korman's mother revealed that the family had honored his wishes by donating his organs.