Tuesday marks the fifth anniversary of the tragic shooting at the Highlands Ranch STEM School, which claimed the life of Kendrick Castillo and injured eight others.
As the community mourns, we also remember and honor Kendrick’s extraordinary courage. On this day five years ago, seeing the danger, he lunged at one of the shooters and gave his life to protect his friends.
“Kendrick gave everything he is, and everything he had — family, a future, a degree, his life — so other young men and women could go back to their families, have a future, graduate and live,” Bishop Jorge Rodríguez said in his homily at Kendrick’s funeral. “Kendrick’s life is like the echo of Jesus’ words: ‘Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.’
“Only a young man with God in his heart and possessing a big, good heart can do what he did: to lay down his life to save his friends. I’m sure [Kendrick’s parents] John and Maria, that you feel proud of your son. God, too, is very proud of his child, Kendrick.”
Littleton, CO May 17, 2019 Funeral for Kendrick Castillo at St. Mary’s of Littleton who was killed during a school shooting at the STEM school of Highlands Ranch (Photo by Andrew Wright)
A graduate of Notre Dame Catholic School in Denver, Kendrick put his faith into action every day, modeling his life off of the saints, sharing his faith with others and befriending those around him, John Castillo, Kendrick’s father, told the Denver Catholic in the weeks following the shooting.
“He made it a point to seek out and find people that he shared his faith with there,” John shared. “[Even] those who didn’t practice religion, he was still a friend to them and would hang out with them.
“I believe he walked his faith, and I was so proud of that.”
Kendrick and his dad, John, would volunteer with the Knights of Columbus at Notre Dame Parish in Denver. (Photo provided)
A faithful altar server and volunteer, Kendrick was active in the Knights of Columbus community at Notre Dame Parish with his father.
An only child, Kendrick was close to his parents. John said that special bond was key to how Kendrick lived his life and loved others.
“When you’re lucky enough to have the relationship the three of us had, you almost don’t even realize you’re doing things,” John said. “It’s not like you’re planning to raise someone a certain way. If there’s love in that family, it’s what you do.
“There’s no changing what he would do. He wouldn’t waver from doing good.”
While his son’s heroism has been lauded in the years since the tragic shooting, being named a Knight of Columbus posthumously and honored by the Knights, Castillo told the Denver Catholic that he’s most proud of the way his son lived his life.
“I believe God used him for what he needs him for. He was a tool, a faithful follower…he saved his friends,” John said. “The fact that he did what was in his heart for his friends is more powerful to me than that word ‘hero.’ It really represents who he was.”
The memory of this tragic day five years ago still weighs heavily on minds and hearts.
At the same time, the faith-filled, courageous example of Kendrick Castillo resounds through the years. It continues to inspire today, as seen by an outpouring of kind memorial messages on social media.
“As we pause to reflect on the fifth anniversary of the tragic events at STEM School Highlands Ranch, we carry with us the memory of Kendrick Castillo, a hero whose selfless actions saved countless lives. His courage, along with the courage of all the other heroes that emerged that day, continues to echo through our community, reminding us of the strength and resilience that unite us in the face of adversity,” Sheriff Dareen Weekly of the Douglas County Sheriff’s office said in a post on X Tuesday.
John posted in remembrance of his son, too, quoting Jesus’ own words in the Gospel: “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (Jn 15:13).
No greater love than this !!!!#kendrickcastillo pic.twitter.com/kbg6nDSJLA — John Castillo (@johncas33827722) May 7, 2024
Truly, Kendrick’s courageous sacrifice reflects those words of Jesus in our own day. Out of love for his friends, he gave his life.
May Kendrick’s life and example continue to inspire us to draw ever closer to Jesus, whose love for us goes to the Cross and beyond, conquering death and bringing eternal life.