Riley Howell

Riley Howell (June 24, 2000 – April 30, 2019) was an American student at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte who became known for his heroic actions during a mass shooting tragedy. On April 30, 2019, a gunman opened fire in Kennedy Hall on the UNCC campus. Howell, a junior studying engineering, confronted the shooter and engaged in a physical struggle with the gunman, allowing other students to escape. Though Howell was fatally shot during this confrontation, his actions are widely credited with preventing further casualties and potentially saving numerous lives. His courage in the face of extreme danger—charging an armed shooter without weapons or training—demonstrated extraordinary bravery and selflessness. Howell's family subsequently became advocates for gun safety and victim support, channeling their grief into activism. He was posthumously awarded the Inaugural Citizen of Character Award and has been recognized by his university and broader society as a hero. Riley Howell's story has become a symbol of American youth courage and the capacity for ordinary people to make extraordinary sacrifices for the safety of others.