Kendrick Castillo has been identified as the 18-year-old victim who was fatally shot when Devon Erickson and an unnamed juvenile open-fired on classmates at STEM School near Denver, Colorado.
“Our prayers are with the victims, family members, and all those affected by today’s shooting at STEM School Highlands Ranch in Littleton, Colorado,” a statement from President Donald Trump said. “Tragically, this community and those surrounding it know all too well these hateful and horrible acts of violence.”
According to a Telemundo reporter, Castillo, “died as a hero, faced the gunmen…seeking to save the lives of his companions.”
#Kendrickcastillo el jovencito que murió como un héroe, se enfrentó a los pistoleros de #STEMshooting en #HighlandsRanch buscando salvar la vida de sus compañeros .. Dios lo tenga en su gloria
pic.twitter.com/V6DFiNzt8R
— maria paula ochoa (@ochoamariapaula) May 8, 2019
Others also hailed Castillo as a hero.
“He and his classmate saved my daughter’s life today,” Twitter user Suz Perc wrote. “Both amazing hero’s (sic), their bravery stopped more senseless tragedy. My daughter is home safe because of his sacrifice. True hero’s.”
Kendrick Castillo is who we all strive to be. I could never be as courageous as that young man,Who engaged the STEM shooters and lost his life trying too protect his fellow classmates. The word hero doesnt even do him justice. R.I.P young man
— Melanin Chronicles (@MelaninChronic2) May 8, 2019
According to reports, a second student, Brendan Bialy, is credited as one of the young men who tackled the alleged shooters after guns were pulled out of a guitar case. Bialy was not shot, while another boy who approached the shooters was wounded in the chest.
From NBC News:
STEM School Highlands Ranch has 1,850 students — 550 elementary age students, 700 in middle school and 600 high school students, according to the district.
The shooting in Colorado comes weeks after Sol Pais, a woman from Florida, threatened to carry out a series of attacks on Colorado schools near the 20th anniversary of the mass shooting at Columbine High School. Pais never carried out the attacks, but her body was found dead of an apparent suicide two days after she flew to the area.
There have been three other school shootings in 2019 that have taken the life of two people and injured six others.
Our deepest condolences are with Castillo’s friends and family during this tragic time.