Denver – A Colorado teenager, Kendrick Castillo, who died while confronting a school shooter to save his classmates, is now being considered for sainthood.
The 18-year-old heroically charged at one of the shooters during the attack at STEM School Highlands Ranch on May 7, 2019, just days before graduation. His actions enabled other students to tackle the gunman, potentially averting a larger catastrophe.
George Brauchler, who oversaw the case, emphasized Kendrick’s remarkable bravery, saying, “We can’t overstate Kendrick Castillo’s heroism. If you had asked on that day, many wouldn’t have seen him as the hero, yet he became that guy.”
The shooting occurred while students were gathered to watch a year-end reward movie. Two attackers, Devon Erickson and Alec McKinney, made their move during this chaotic moment.
Castillo, along with fellow students Joshua Jones and Brendan Biary, confronted Erickson. After firing several shots, the assailant’s weapon jammed.
Sadly, Castillo was fatally shot during the struggle, but his brave actions allowed his classmates to disarm the shooter. He sadly was the sole fatality, while eight others suffered injuries.
Brauchler, who has dealt with other high-profile shooting cases, referred to Castillo as “the miracle baby,” noting that he was the only child of his parents. “They’re naming a street near the school Kendrick Castillo Way,” he added. “Now he’s reached the first step towards possible sainthood in the Catholic Church, which he cherished.”
Erickson was later convicted of multiple charges, including first-degree murder, and is serving a life sentence without parole. In a plea deal, McKinney, who testified against Erickson, could be eligible for parole in twenty years.
After the verdict, Kendrick’s father expressed his belief that his son was present in spirit. “I’m confident he was looking down on us,” he shared, “This verdict was justice for him.”
Mitchell Kraus, a survivor of the shooting, reflected on his experience, recalling how he had spoken to Erickson moments before the attack. He took solace in the belief that the shooter would not be free again, describing this as relief from the burden he carried.
The Colorado Springs Parish has officially accepted a petition to open Kendrick’s cause for sainthood. Despite Kendrick’s strong connections to the Archdiocese of Denver, church laws dictate that petitions are initiated in the parish where the individual died, which in this case is Colorado Springs.
Father Patrick DiLoreto of St. Mark’s Parish stated that Castillo’s actions fall under a particular category defined by Pope Francis concerning the “provision of life.”
Castillo was known for his deep faith, carrying a rosary daily, which was later found after his death and given to a fellow student. He actively volunteered and attended funerals for those he didn’t know, hoping to support them through prayer. Bishop James Gorka commended the testimonials gathered about Kendrick, declaring he was truly an exceptional young man.
As incidents of school violence continue to be a pressing concern in America, Kendrick’s story serves as an inspiring tale of courage for many.
