Porn star Jay Hefner shot dead in Nebraska

Porn star Jay Hefner was shot dead while protecting his cousin. His devastated family called the incident a “senseless act of gun violence.”

Hefner, whose real name is Saiveon Hopkins, had traveled to Nebraska from his home in Ontario, Canada, to celebrate a loved one's birthday.

While protecting his cousin from violence, the 24-year-old was reportedly gunned down on the street in downtown Lincoln at around 1:30 a.m.

Despite the best efforts of first responders, Hopkins succumbed to his injuries in the hospital at around 5:40 a.m. on Sunday morning.

Hopkins' girlfriend Madi Murchison wrote a moving obituary on Sunday, admitting that she “immediately burst into tears” when his mother called to tell him the tragic news.

“I have never felt such pain and I don't know how to get through it,” she said.

Murchison said Hopkins was her “safe place” who “showed me love I had never experienced.”

“This hurts, my heart is completely broken… you put your love into words every day.”

A GoFundMe campaign has been set up for Hopkins' grieving family, including his 10-month-old daughter and terminally ill mother.

The fundraiser's organizer, Kyra Miller, is a friend of Hopkins' mother, Jeni.

Hopkins recently completed a “Veneer Tech” course in addition to his work in the adult film industry.

She said: “It is never easy to lose a loved one, but losing a child is the most painful loss one can ever experience.”

“My close friend Jeni Brown lost her son to a senseless act of gun violence while trying to protect her cousin from physical violence.

“Saiveon was a shining light who was there for everyone who loved him.”

Miller said Hopkins not only cared for his daughter, who “adored” him, but also helped terminally ill Jeni care for his siblings.

“Due to the financial burden the family has already endured due to Jeni’s medical care and her unexpected death, I would like to help raise funds to help ease their financial burden during this already devastating time.

“Funerals can be expensive and we want to honor Saiveon in a way he deserves.”

In addition to his work in the adult film industry, Hopkins recently completed a veneer tech course and worked as a model for Fashion Nova.