Butler University student dies after shooting in Maryland, mother says
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A Butler University student died Thursday after a shooting Saturday in Maryland, according to a social media post by the student’s mother and a blog post from police.
Prince George’s Police Department in Maryland said Friday they are seeking a suspect in the fatal shooting of 20-year-old Alexander “Xan” Korman about 11:50 p.m. Saturday in the 8300 block of Hollow Tree Lane. Korman was found in a car with a gunshot wound.
“The preliminary investigation reveals one other adult male was also shot during this incident. Their injuries do not appear to be life-threatening,” the police said in a blog post Friday.
Police do not know the motive for the shooting. Anyone with information was asked to call detectives at 301-516-2512 or Prince George’s County Crime Solvers at 866-411-8477.
His mother, Carolyn Feis Korman, says her son was a photographer and photo editor at The Collegian, the student-run newspaper at Butler.
Butler’s head basketball coach, LaVall Jordan, reacted to Korman’s death in a Thursday tweet: “So sad to hear about Xan Korman. Xan was a talented young man who was a true Bulldog at heart. Praying comfort over his family.”
Assistant basketball coach Omar Lowery also responded:
Butler University released the following statement following Korman’s death:
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.
Henry Bredemeier, one of Korman’s classmates at Butler and a colleague at The Collegian, remembered Korman on Thursday: “Xan was a really nice and kind person. 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.”
According to Korman’s mother, the family honored his wishes by donating his organs.
Korman’s mother on Friday night shared a statement from the family about her son’s life:
Xan Korman, 20, was the victim of random gun violence in Prince George’s County, MD in the early hours of Sunday morning. He was simply in the wrong place, at the wrong time. Xan was shot in the face by a handgun while sitting in his car and trying to duck. The bullet fragmented as it entered his head causing a traumatic brain injury. Despite the heroic efforts of his amazing medical team, and Xan’s fighting for days, the swelling and bleeding took over and Xan was pronounced dead on Thursday, 8/19/21.
Xan attended Walter Johnson High School (class of 2019) and was a rising junior at Butler University in Indianapolis, majoring in Creative Media and Entertainment. He had been a photographer and photo editor with the Butler Collegian, the student newspaper.
Xan was living his best life and was taken far too soon. He was an extremely talented photographer and videographer who excelled at capturing the human spirit. His most recent work from both basketball and the Black Lives Matter protests illustrate his talent at conveying the raw emotion of these events. Other photographers have mentioned Xan’s mentoring of them and showing them the ropes. His passion as a photographer blossomed during his college years and he developed a very close association with both the men’s and women’s basketball teams at Butler University.
Xan generously signed up as an organ donor when he first received his driver’s license. His parents have been working with the donation team to ensure that as many usable organs are provided to eligible recipients as possible.
In the days since he was shot, and particularly since his passing, his parents have been overwhelmed with the stories from friends of his, many they knew and some they didn’t, about his generosity. This is true both while he was alive and since his passing. Xan was described as someone who would go out his way to help others, even at his own sacrifice. He was a very open spirit and concerned about issues such as social justice and fairness. Then In his death, Xan exhibited his extreme generosity by choosing to be an organ donor so that others may live. His parents have received many notes of appreciation for his generous gift from those who have been organ recipients or are awaiting such a gift. The value of him living on in others is part of his legacy.
His parents hope that some lessons can be learned from their tragedy. First, tomorrow is never promised so treasure each day. No matter how “good” your kid is and how good of a parent you are, you cannot guarantee their safety. Second, if you are faced with a tragedy such as this, please consider helping other families in need of healthy organs so they may live. Xan’s parents said that if a brain transplant could have saved Xan’s life, it would have meant everything. They are honoring Xan’s wish to be able to provide the gift of life to others.
Xan’s parents hope to set up a scholarship fund for other media creatives in the future so that his legacy can continue.
Xan’s work can be found on Instagram at @xanshotyou.
Police information on the incident: http://pgpolice.blogspot.com/2021/08/pgpd-investigating-fatal-shooting-in_20.html
If anyone has information relative to the crime, they are asked to call detectives at 301-516-2512. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS(8477). Go online at: www.pgcrimesolvers.com
Please refer to case number 21-0036904