The hero UNC Charlotte student who died tackling a gunman in his classroom will be buried with full military honors following a memorial on Sunday.
Reserve Officer Training Corps cadet Riley Howell, 21, was one of two students killed as gunman Trystan Terrell burst into his anthropology class and opened fire last Tuesday.
“Absolutely, Mr. Howell saved lives,” Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department chief Kerr Putney said of the student who chased down and tackled the gunman.
His bravery sparked a petition on WhiteHouse.gov calling for him to get full military honors — and a rep for his funeral home in Waynesville, N.C., confirmed to FOX 46 that he would be getting them.
“Riley was an ROTC cadet and would have served his country. Instead, he died saving the lives of his classmates,” the petition had stated.
The hero’s send-off started last week when his body was brought home escorted by law enforcement officials from across the county, according to The Mountaineer.
“Riley died the way he lived, putting others first. Our hope is that his example resonates with everyone,” his family said in his obituary. “We hope others will, if ever the need arises, answer the call to be selfless and do the right thing without hesitation.”
Another student Ellis Parlier, 19, of Midland, was also killed by accused gunman Terrel, 22, who was reportedly inspired by the Sandy Hook massacre.
Four others were injured.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.