Teen Charged In STEM School Shooting Won't Face Death Penalty

CASTLE ROCK, CO — A 19-year-old accused of the 2019 STEM School Highlands Ranch shooting that killed a student will not face the death penalty, the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office said Thursday.

Devon Erickson faces dozens of charges including first-degree murder, burglary, possession of a handgun, theft, reckless endangerment and violent crime causing death. He has pleaded not guilty.

Erickson and Alec McKinney, 16, are accused of walking into the school May 7 and opening fire.

Kendrick Castillo, 18, who had only three days of school left before graduation, was killed in the shooting. Eight other students were injured during the attack.

Castillo's parents, who have attended every court hearing and held many news conferences since the deadly shooting, had called for the death penalty for Erickson.

McKinney, who was born female but identifies as male, pleaded guilty Feb. 7 to first-degree murder and 16 other charges. His attorney pushed to have his client's case moved to juvenile court in late 2019, but the motion was denied by a Douglas County judge.

Erickson's case is scheduled to go to trial in May.

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