The 18-year-old student who died in Tuesday’s shooting at STEM School Highlands Ranch in Colorado reportedly lunged at and tried to stop the shooter but was killed in the process.
Kendrick Castillo, who is being hailed as a hero, acted fast when he realized there was a gunman in the classroom. According to one of Castillo’s classmates in his British literature class, when the shooter pulled out a gun and yelled at students not to move, Castillo reacted by immediately charging the gunman, allowing his fellow classmates to hide or move to safety.
“Kendrick lunged at [the gunman], and he shot Kendrick, giving all of us enough time to get underneath our desks, to get ourselves safe, and to run across the room to escape,” Nui Giasolli, a senior at the STEM school, told NBC News.
Castillo’s father, John Castillo, told ABC that his son was a hero and a great kid. Castillo was just days away from graduation when he intervened in the shooting.
“I want people to know about him,” his father said through tears.
This is 18-year-old Kendrick Castillo. He was the young man killed in the #STEMshooting yesterday.
We’re told he was passionate about technology, on the school’s robotics team, and set to graduate in just 3 days. Sending his family so much love during this time. ?? @CBSDenver pic.twitter.com/QYalFnsCom— Mekialaya White (@Mekialaya) May 8, 2019
Another of the teens who helped subdue the gunman, Brendan Bialy, is a senior at the school enrolled in the Marine Corps Delayed Entry Program. In a statement, Marine Corps Capt. Michael Maggitti lauded Bialy’s swift action.
“Brendan’s courage and commitment to swiftly ending this tragic incident at the risk of his own safety is admirable and inspiring,” the statement read. “His decisive actions resulted in the safety and protection of his teachers and fellow classmates.”
Bialy is set to ship out to basic training this summer.
Giasolli said that a number of students in the class lunged at the shooter in an attempt to stop the carnage.
“They were very heroic,” Giasolli said. “I can’t thank them enough.”
Douglas County Sheriff Tony Spurlock acknowledged the students’ heroism at an early morning press conference Wednesday.
“We’re going to hear about very heroic things that have taken place at the school,” Spurlock said.
Presidential contender Joe Biden tweeted about Castillo Wednesday, writing: “We must remember Kendrick’s name and sacrifice. We must ensure his legacy lives in our shared commitment to stopping these tragedies. Children shouldn’t fear going to school and parents shouldn’t need to rely on the uncommon courage of an 18-year-old hero to keep their kids safe.”
We must remember Kendrick’s name and sacrifice. We must ensure his legacy lives in our shared commitment to stopping these tragedies. Children shouldn’t fear going to school and parents shouldn’t need to rely on the uncommon courage of an 18-year-old hero to keep their kids safe.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) May 8, 2019
Tuesday’s shooting, which left Castillo dead and eight others injured, was allegedly perpetrated by two students, one 18-year-old male student and a female minor. The shooting occurred around the time of the 20th anniversary of the Columbine High School shooting. The school is about 5 miles from Columbine, Colo.
