A Colorado shooting had eighteen-year-old Kendrick Ray Castillo killed, and eight others wounded in the shooting at STEM School Highlands Ranch. First-degree murder and attempted murder charges will be filed, according to 18th Judicial District Attorney George Brauchler.
The attack took place just 8 km (5 miles) from Columbine High School, the site of one of the country’s most notorious shootings 20 years ago.
Suspects Make First Court Appearance
The two suspects accused of the mass shooting made their first court appearance on Wednesday. The 18-year-old student at the school named Devon Erikson, and a 16-year-old student named Alec McKinney were formally charged for the crime.
Erikson took the two handguns that were used in the shooting from his parents, according to a source with direct knowledge of the investigation. Both guns were purchased legally.
Hero Student is a Legend
18-year-old Kendrick Castillo was the only fatality in Tuesday’s assault, while eight other students were injured.
Witnesses narrate that Castillo lunged at the gunman, giving all the students enough time to keep themselves safe. John Castillo, Kendrick’s father, described his son as ‘the best kid in the world,’ in an interview with the Denver Post.
“I wish he had gone and hid, but that’s not his character. His character is about protecting people, helping people.”
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Two other students also intercepted the gunmen. Brendan Bialy was also praised as a hero. One of them was Joshua Jones who was shot twice. He is now recovering at home with his family. Brendan is a recruit for the US Marine Corps but was not trained specifically on active shooter protocols.
Colorado STEM School Students Walk Out of Vigil
The vigil commemorating the victims of the STEM school shooting in Colorado ended in protest Wednesday evening after students exclaimed that they refused to be used as pawns to promote gun control.
Students stood and stormed out. Some clapped and united in chants, deriding what they saw as a ‘political stunt.’ The school parking lot quickly filled with teenagers, cursing at the press and holding backlit cellphones in the air.
One student braved the crowd and let out a statement in a video aired by 9News.
“What happened at STEM is awful, but it’s not a statistic. We can’t be used for a reason for gun control. We are people, not a statement.”
Another student joined in the conversation.
“I thought this was about us, not about politics.”
