Fatal UNC shooting victim Riley Howell died a hero, charging and tackling classroom shooter
One student casualty of the April 30 shooting at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNC) is standing out as a hero – a young man who gave his life and was shot to death after going after the shooter. Riley Howell, a 21-year-old ROTC recipient, charged and tackled the shooter and knocked him to the ground giving some of his other classmates the opportunity to escape, and provided the window of opportunity needed for police to enter the classroom and subdue the shooter.
The shooter, Trystan Andrew Terrell – a former and disgruntled UNC student – entered and took a seat inside of Howell’s anthropology classroom on the last day of classes of the spring semester. After about 10 minutes, Terrell just opened fire inside the classroom shooting a total of six people. Two of the shooting victims, including Howell, were shot dead. The other student fatality was identified as Ellis “Reed” Parlier.
Thanks to Howell’s actions, Terrell was subdued and arrested at the scene. Officials at the university said that the heroic actions performed by Howell definitely saved lives, according to CBS News.
Lt. Col. Chunka Smith, who runs UNC Charlotte’s ROTC program, said he’s not surprised Howell gave his life for others.
“I would tell you, he stood out,” Smith said.
“Do you feel a sense of pride in what he did?” CBS News correspondent Chip Reid asked.
“I do. Absolutely. As a soldier, we understand what it means to make the ultimate sacrifice,” Smith said.
“I’m gonna miss that kid,” said Kevin Westmoreland, father of Howell’s longtime girlfriend. “It would make complete sense that he would turn and try to stop it from happening. He’s the one that runs towards it instead of running away.”
Mass Live reported that the 22-year-old Terrell was charged with two counts of murder, four counts of attempted murder and a variety of other charges including four counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, discharging a firearm on educational property and possession of a gun on educational property, according to jail records, according to MSN.
On May 1, a student-organized vigil was held on campus to unite and support the UNC Charlotte community. Also yesterday, the University Chancellor issued the following statement:
Words cannot adequately express the heartbreak we feel over yesterday’s tragic events, nor can they describe the selfless, overwhelming support you have provided. Even in the midst of UNC Charlotte’s darkest day, our greatest strength–our ability to unify with one heart and a common purpose–shines clearly through.
For more on the heroic actions of UNC student Riley Howell, see the video accompanying this article.
~ Written by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Connect with Richard on Facebook and Twitter
