WAYNESVILLE, N.C.—A University of North Carolina-Charlotte student who was killed when he tackled a gunman who opened fire inside a classroom has been posthumously awarded military honors.
Twenty-one-year-old Army ROTC cadet Riley Howell was awarded a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star.
A University of North Carolina-Charlotte student who was killed when he tackled a gunman who opened fire inside a classroom has been posthumously awarded military honorshttps://t.co/EDQp0xCwhL
— KTLA (@KTLA) May 24, 2019
The Charlotte Observer reports Waynesville Police Chief William Hollingsed and Haywood County Sheriff Greg Christopher on Wednesday presented Howell’s family with the medals. They were provided by Thomas Matteo, president of the Purple Heart Society.
The @UNCCharlotte student who was killed as he tackled the gunman accused of opening fire on campus, #RileyHowell, has been awarded posthumously for his heroic efforts.
Howell’s parents & girlfriend picked up the Citizen Medal of Valor award on his behalf.https://t.co/20dkx7l52Y
— The Epoch Times (@EpochTimes) May 16, 2019
HERO: The University of North Carolina student who was killed by a gunman has been awarded the military’s highest honor. https://t.co/gxkGUnAvna
— WETM-TV (@WETM18News) May 24, 2019
Riley is credited with saving lives during the April 30 attack on the Charlotte campus that also killed 19-year-old student Ellis R. Parlier and wounded four others.
Riley C. Howell, 21, of Waynesville, and Ellis R. Parlier, 19 of Midland, were killed in the attack. https://t.co/Md6lgdHRhj
— NBC Bay Area (@nbcbayarea) May 1, 2019
Authorities have charged 22-year-old Trystan Andrew Terrell with murder, attempted murder and other offenses.
NEW THIS MORNING: The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Identified the suspect as 22-year-old Trystan Andrew Terrell, who was interviewed by detectives and charged with two counts of murder, four counts of attempted murder and more. pic.twitter.com/M8pdemAb0h
— NBC 6 South Florida (@nbc6) May 1, 2019
UPDATE:
Trystan Andrew Terrell, a 22-year-old history major at UNCC, was identified as the suspect by multiple outlets. He is reportedly in custody.https://t.co/yp3nZHVWNF
— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) April 30, 2019