18-year-old dies during Highlands Ranch STEM School shooting

KRDO’s news partner in Denver reports that Kendrick Castillo was the student who was shot and killed at STEM School Highlands Ranch Tuesday afternoon.

The Douglas County coroner confirmed that Castillo died from the shooting. He was three days away from graduating.

According to Nui Giasolli, a student at the school, she said Castillo jumped into action when a gunman entered the classroom, and lost his life trying to save others.

“Kendrick lunged at him and he shot Kendrick, giving all of us enough time to get underneath our desks, to get ourselves safe and to run out of, across the room to escape,” Giasolli said.

We’re also learning more about students who are being called heroes for helping stop the shooters. Media outlets in Denver report that Brendan Bialy, 18, helped subdue one of the suspects. Bialy is a poolee in the Marine Corps Delayed Entry Program, and plans to go to recruit training in the summer.

“Brendan’s courage and commitment to swiftly ending this tragic incident at the risk of his own safety is admirable and inspiring,” the Marine Corps said in a statement. “His decisive actions resulted in the safety and protection of his teachers and fellow classmates.”

Eight other people were hurt in the shooting. Three of them remain in the hospital.

For updates from the Wednesday morning press conference click here.