On May 7, 2019, just three days before his graduation, 18-year-old Kendrick Ray Castillo was killed in a shooting at the STEM School Highlands Ranch in Colorado. The male student was in his British literature class when one of the gunmen entered the room, pulled out a gun, and told everyone not to move. Without hesitation, Kendrick lunged at the shooter, an act of selfless bravery that gave his fellow students precious time to take cover and escape. He was fatally shot while protecting his classmates.
Kendrick's heroic actions were widely praised by his peers and the community, who hailed him as a hero. His father described him as an extraordinary and selfless young man who loved people deeply. Kendrick was an only child and was passionate about robotics, planning to pursue a career in engineering. He was an active member of his school's robotics club and, along with his father, dedicated over 2,500 hours to community service with the Knights of Columbus, who posthumously honored him with a membership.
Two students, Devon Erickson and Alec McKinney, were taken into custody following the shooting and were subsequently charged with Kendrick's murder and the injury of eight other students. Erickson and McKinney entered the school with handguns and other weapons, opening fire in two separate locations within the school. Kendrick Castillo's immediate and decisive action in the face of grave danger undoubtedly saved many lives that day.
