Riley Howell: Attacked gunman at UNC, Saved others but not Himself

Threw Himself into Harm’s Way that others may live

In 2019 When a lone gunman started shooting unarmed students at University of North Carolina, Riley immediately raced towards the gunfire. He ran at the gunman who shot him twice before Riley knocked him to the ground hard. A final shot to Riley while trying to disable the gunman ended Riley’s life. The gunman gave up as police ran into the room. Riley is credited as saving more lives and remains an American hero to this day. Being an ROTC cadet, he was buried with full military honors. He was 21 years old. Valor is described in the Oxford dictionary as “Great courage in the face of danger”.

Perhaps his picture should be beside that definition along with many others, so that we do not forget. Valor is in you. Set it free.