May 7, 2019 was a day that Highlands Ranch residents will long remember—the day a terrible school shooting occurred in normally peaceful Highlands Ranch. STEM School Highlands Ranch is a K-12 charter school, with almost 2000 students enrolled. In the afternoon of May 7 two students opened fire in a darkened classroom, while other students were watching a movie. Upon seeing the shooter pull out a handgun and yell “nobody move” Kendrick Castillo, 18, a Senior student at STEM, rushed the gunman, providing precious time for other students to escape. Kendrick was fatally shot in the chest, and eight other students were injured. Kendrick’s bravery and actions were told by the students, and Kendrick was proclaimed a hero for his selfless and brave actions that fateful afternoon.
An only child, Kendrick was gifted and active in his community, including church, volunteering with the Knights of Columbus, and he loved robotics and engineering. Friends and teachers remember him as someone who lifted others up and always stepped forward to help.
His bravery has been honored across Colorado, including a memorial statue in Highlands Ranch and community tributes recognizing his selfless act.
Lucent Blvd was renamed Kendrick Castillo Way in honor of Kendrick.
A memorial in Highlands Ranch Civic Green Park stands in tribute to this remarkable young man. Dedicated in November 2025, it brought together community leaders, Kendrick’s parents, John and Maria Castillo, and local residents. Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly told Colorado Community Media that the sheriff’s office honors Castillo’s “extraordinary courage and selflessness.” “His heroic actions on that tragic day remind us of the strength of the human spirit and the power of one brave act to save lives,” Weekly said. “May his memorial stand as a lasting tribute to his heroism and an inspiration to our entire community.”
The Memorial includes engraved stones with symbols that speak of who he was and what he loved.
Kendrick’s legacy continues to inspire young people to lead with compassion, courage, and care for one another.
“He was the best kid in the world,” his father said. “He cared about people.”
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