An Army ROTC cadet sacrificed his life to save his fellow classmates during the UNC Charlotte shooting

| May 4, 2019

riley howell
Riley Howell

UNCC shooting victim to be buried with full military honors

Jared Keller

When a mass shooting erupted on the campus of University of North Carolina at Charlotte on Tuesday, Army ROTC cadet Riley Howell sprang into action.

Finding himself face to face with the armed gunman in his classroom, the 21-year-old Howell tackled and restrained the shooter until police could arrive.

The gunman, 22-year-old Trystan Terrell, left two dead and four injured on the Charlotte campus, including Howell.
Law enforcement officials say that without Howell’s heroic sacrifice, the death toll would likely have been higher.

“But for his work, the assailant may not have been disarmed,” Charlotte-Mecklenberg Police Department Chief Kerr Putney told the New York Times of Howell. “Unfortunately, he gave his life in the process. But his sacrifice saved lives.”

A petition has been started to grant Riley Howell the right to be laid to rest with full military honors, sources claim.

A representative from Wells Funeral Homes has confirmed that Howell will be buried with full honors.

Read more at: https://taskandpurpose.com/riley-howell-army-rotc-shooting

Hat tip to Mason for the link.

Fair winds and following seas, Cadet.

Category: Army, Guest Link, The Warrior Code, Valor

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UpNorth

No greater love… Bless you, young man. Rest in peace.

David

I would say he earned his commission.

26Limabeans

battlefield at least

OldSoldier54

Not a terrible idea.

Retired Grunt

I agree, even if he was a first year, he was on his way and I think Cadet Howell deserves military honors and if it were possible, the Soldiers Medal.

The Other Whitey

The murderer ain’t worth a drop of young Riley Howell’s piss. May that piece of shit be executed in obscurity and tormented in Hell forever. May Riley Howell rest in peace. He died a hero, so as Tecumseh would say, send him home as one.

Fyrfighter

Not executed, locked in a 4×4 cell, have it welded shut, and the key ground to dust..slide trays of bread and water under the door twice a day, util they stop coming back,then weld shut that slot, to keep in the stench, and call it good.

UpNorth

I like it! We’ll put you in charge of well-deserved executions, Fyrfighter.

Skippy

Rest Well

Mason

He should quickly receive the ROTC Medal for Heroism. Though if I was running the country, he’d receive the Soldier’s Medal and a posthumous commission, even if he wasn’t on orders.

Commissioner Wretched

I think it should be handled as the situation described in the book, “Starship Troopers,” by Heinlein. OCS Cadet Rico is about to be sent on his training mission, and is speaking with the Commandant, who says:
“You are technically not an M.I. But the M.I hasn’t forgotten you; the M.I. never forgets one of its own no matter where they are. If you are struck dead this instant, you will be cremated as Second Lieutenant Juan Rico, Mobile Infantry … that’s why we always commission a dead cadet son – so we can send him home to his mates.”
Not a bad idea. And to the family of Riley Howell … my deepest condolences on your loss, and I share your pride in your son.

HMCS(FMF) ret

Where do we get such men?

RIP Cadet Riley Howell

NEC338x

Love that ending.

gitarcarver

https://www.fox19.com/2019/05/04/uncc-hero-riley-howell-be-buried-with-full-military-honors/

Howell will be buried tomorrow, May 5 with full military honors.

As an aside, we should also not forget Ellis R. Parlier, the 19 year old who was killed with 21 year old Howell.

https://www.wbtv.com/2019/05/01/uncc-shooting-victim-reed-parlier-remembered-beautiful-soul/

Toxic Deplorable B Woodman

Damn allergies.
God rest the warrior soul of “LT” Howell. St Peter should salute.
Excuse me while dry my tears.

Fyrfighter

Based on what I read about his involvement with his local fire department as well, I hope there’s a ladder arch, color guard, and bagpipes as well.

RIP soldier!

NEC338x

What his hometown pulled together was nothing short of amazing.
https://www.themountaineer.com/news/welcome-home-riley-howell-arrives-in-haywood-county-amid-crowds/article_549a199c-6d12-11e9-8a9f-a3ba326301d7.html

“Every single overpass and every single entrance ramp from Charlotte to Waynesville had both first responders and civilians carrying American flags, holding up signs and standing with their hands over their hearts, said Waynesville Police Chief Bill Hollingsed, whose officers were part of the motorcade.” First responders are civilians too, but I’ll give a pass on that.

“American Legion volunteers were setting up for this weekend’s Ramp Festival but quickly changed gears to ensure there were plenty of full-sized flags along the motorcade route and handed out smaller flags for those in the crowd to wave.” And ‘thank you’ to the American Legion post.

OldSoldier54

Thanks for posting this. Such a fine young man.

Green Thumb

Rest well, Cadet.

Carlton G Long

Rest In Peace, Cadet.

OldSoldier54

See you in a while, little Brother.

Ex-PH2

Too young, too soon. He should have lived much longer.

James Haltom

My wife and I mourn the loss of both students, Riley Howell and Ellis Parlier who were shot at UNCC. We also pray for the rapid recovery of the 4 other students injured during the attack. Our daughter, who is also a member of 49er ROTC Battalion, was in the Library across from the Kennedy Building when the shooting occurred. This event has landed close to home and we pray for the return of normalcy and justice for the victims.