WAYNESVILLE, N.C. – Riley Howell, the 21-year-old UNC-Charlotte student who died tackling a gunman, was honored Wednesday.
- Howell's family was presented with a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star.
- The award previously belonged to Thomas 'Stormy' Matteo.
- Howell died while attempting to stop an active shooter on UNC-Charlotte's campus.
Police in Waynesville presented Howell’s family with a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. The award had previously belonged to Thomas ‘Stormy’ Matteo, a Vietnam veteran who wanted to honor Howell.
Matteo, president of the Purple Heart Society, is the recipient of six Purple Hearts.
Howell and Reed Parlier, 19, were killed April 30 when a former-student opened fire on UNC Charlotte’s campus. Four others were injured in the shooting. Police say Howell’s selfless act gave them more time to respond and his fellow students a chance to get out.
The family was presented with a plaque that commemorated Howell’s actions.
“Cadet Howell with complete disregard for his personal safety, made a decision to stop an Active Shooter on his college campus,” the plaque read.
Officials say when the shooter began firing, Howell charged the gunman and tackled him to the ground.
Matteo spoke to Howell’s family through a video-link during the ceremony and called their loved one ‘a true hero’.
Howell was buried earlier this month with full military honors.