Hero of the STEM School: Kendrick Castillo’s Journey Toward Sainthood

In a world where stories of tragedy often overshadow those of heroism, Kendrick Castillo’s legacy stands as a beacon of selfless courage. The 18-year-old Colorado teenager who sacrificed his life to protect his classmates during the 2019 STEM School Highlands Ranch shooting is now being considered for sainthood by the Catholic Church. This extraordinary recognition reflects not only his final act of bravery but also a lifetime defined by faith and service to others. As George Brauchler, who prosecuted the case, eloquently stated, “You cannot overstate the heroism of Kendrick Castillo.” On that fateful day, when two armed assailants entered a British literature class that had gathered to watch “The Princess Bride,” Kendrick made a split-second decision that would save countless lives while costing him his own. Without hesitation, he charged one of the gunmen, giving his classmates Joshua Jones and Brendan Bialy the opportunity to join the effort to subdue the attackers. This brave intervention caused the weapon to jam after only four shots were fired, preventing what could have been a far deadlier massacre.

The attack, carried out by Devon Erickson, then 18, and Alec McKinney, then 16, left Kendrick as the only student fatality, with eight others injured. For John and Maria Castillo, Kendrick was their miracle baby – their only child – making his loss all the more devastating. Yet through their grief, they have witnessed how their son’s sacrifice has rippled through their community and beyond. The street near the school has been renamed “Kendrick Castillo Way,” a tangible reminder of his impact. Now, with the Diocese of Colorado Springs formally receiving a petition to open Kendrick’s cause for canonization, his legacy enters a new dimension. Though Kendrick had strong connections to the Archdiocese of Denver, Church law designates that the diocese where a person died is responsible for initiating the canonization process, placing this sacred duty with Colorado Springs.

Kendrick’s final heroic act was not an anomaly but rather the culmination of a life consistently dedicated to faith and service. Father Patrick DiLoreto of St. Mark Parish in Highlands Ranch noted that Kendrick’s sacrifice may qualify under Pope Francis’s “Offering of Life” category, which recognizes those who give their lives for love of God and neighbor. “He courageously threw himself at one of the school shooters without hesitation,” Father DiLoreto explained, acknowledging how this selfless action undoubtedly saved many lives. What makes Kendrick’s story particularly compelling is how his everyday life reflected his deep faith. He carried a rosary daily – one was found on him after his death and later given to a classmate. He regularly volunteered in his community, attended funerals of strangers to pray for them, and openly spoke of his desire to be a witness of faith. These qualities have led Bishop James Golka of Colorado Springs to recognize that “Kendrick was an exceptional young man.”

The aftermath of the tragedy brought a measure of justice when Erickson was convicted on 46 counts, including first-degree murder, receiving a sentence of life in prison without parole. McKinney, who testified against his accomplice, pleaded guilty and could be eligible for parole after approximately 20 years. Following the verdict, John Castillo expressed his belief that his son’s presence had guided the jury toward justice. For survivors like Mitchell Kraus, who was wounded in the attack, Erickson’s conviction provided a sense of closure. Kraus, now in college, described it as “a weight off my back” to know that Erickson would never walk free again. It’s a small consolation in the face of such senseless violence, but an important step in the healing process for a community forever changed by tragedy.

Kendrick’s story resonates particularly deeply as America continues to grapple with the epidemic of school violence. The recent shooting in Minneapolis serves as a painful reminder that these tragedies continue to occur with alarming frequency. In this context, Kendrick’s example offers something precious: a model of courage, faith, and selflessness that stands in direct opposition to the darkness of such acts. Father DiLoreto articulated this sentiment, noting that “as the country faces more and more persecution of Christians, especially in these horrific school shootings, such as the one last week in Minnesota, we can look at the heroic examples such as Kendrick and the children who protected others for inspiration.” His words highlight how Kendrick’s sacrifice transcends the specific circumstances of that day in May 2019, offering a template for responding to hatred with love and to violence with self-giving.

Perhaps what makes Kendrick’s story most powerful is its challenge to our expectations. As Brauchler observed, if you had asked who would be the hero in classroom 107 that day, Kendrick might not have been the obvious choice. “I just think that people would have written him off as not that guy,” Brauchler reflected, “but he turns out to be that guy.” This insight reminds us that heroes often emerge from unexpected places, and that courage isn’t always found in the loudest or most visible among us. Kendrick’s legacy invites us to recognize the potential for extraordinary goodness in each person we encounter. As his cause for sainthood progresses, Kendrick Castillo’s story will continue to inspire not only those within the Catholic faith but anyone moved by the profound simplicity of his message: that there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. In a world too often defined by division and self-interest, Kendrick’s example shines as a testament to the transformative power of selfless love.