When Anthony Castillo, 6, didn?t return to kindergarten Monday at Forcey Christian School, some of his classmates wondered why his seat sat empty.

“He had a reputation as tender-hearted and a peacemaker,” said Ken Roussey, principal of the nondenominational religious school in Silver Spring. “Even at a very young age, he was a compassionate young man, so when another student was hurting he tried to comfort them.”