The University of North Carolina Charlotte student who confronted a gunman in his classroom last month before being killed was awarded the ROTC Medal of Heroism for his actions.
According to Stars and Stripes, Riley Howell was posthumously given the award for his bravery by tackling the gunman and trying to prevent him from continuing his rampage.
Howell was an ROTC cadet. He has been hailed a hero in the local and national media, and Charlotte police honored him during a ceremony last week.
"He protected his fellow classmates by tackling the suspect and using his body as a human shield," the ROTC award summary read, according to Stars and Stripes. "His actions that day left him mortally wounded, but he saved an undeterminable amount of lives."
Howell's action, the summary added, mirrored the Army values "by showing a high level of integrity, honor, and selfless service on that fateful day."
Howell, 21, and 19-year-old Ellis Parlier were killed in the shooting. Four students were injured. It was reported that after Howell tackled the gunman, no one else was shot. His actions, which left him with fatal injuries, allowed police time to rush to the scene and subdue the shooter.
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