Riley Howell, the 21-year-old student who has been hailed a hero for sacrificing his life to tackle the North Carolina University gunman last month, has posthumously been awarded a Purple Heart and Bronze Star – two of the military’s highest honors, CNN reported.
Riley, a freshman at the school, was nearing the end of his first year of university.
In order to help put himself through school, he worked at a landscaping company. He was also a part of the school’s ROTC program.
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On April 30, a gunman entered a University of North Carolina classroom and opened fire.
On this particular day, only about 30 of the registered 100 students were present for class. Riley Howell was one of them.
As the gunman, who was a former student, fired inside the classroom, students ran for cover.
Riley, however, ran towards the shooter, charging at him and tackling him to the ground. In his efforts, he was shot point blank, but still managed to knock the shooter off his feet, thus leading to his arrest and preventing further casualties.
Riley was killed saving his classmates.
One other student, 19-year-old Reed Parlier, was killed and four injured, but these numbers could have been much worse.
In an interview with CNN , Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Kerr Putney called Riley the “first and foremost hero” of the incident.
“He took the fight to the assailant,” Putney said. “Unfortunately, he had to give his life to do so, but he saved lives doing so.”
Riley’s family have since started the Riley Howell Foundation.
This foundation is aimed at helping other families who have been affected by “senseless acts of violence,” CNN reported.
Now, Riley has posthumously been awarded the military’s highest honors for his bravery and actions that day.
The Waynesville Police Department announced via Facebook that the slain student has been given a Purple Heart and Bronze Star.
Local officers and Riley’s family were all present for the award ceremony on May 22.
Thomas “Stormy” Matteo, the president of the Purple Heart Society and recipient of six hearts himself, called Riley a “true hero” during a FaceTime call with the family and officers at the ceremony.
The family were also given a plaque which describes Riley’s bravery in his final moments.
It reads, “It is with great Honor and Respect to present the American Hero Award posthumously to Riley C. Howell. Cadet Howell with complete disregard for his personal safety, made a decision to stop an Active Shooter on his college campus.”
h/t: CNN
