MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. — UNC Charlotte will begin “day of remembrance” events on campus Friday ahead of the third anniversary of one of the darkest moments in the school’s history.
Mecklenburg County commissioners dedicated a day of remembrance earlier this month to honor the victims of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte mass shooting.
The shooting happened on April 30, 2019.
21-year-old Riley Howell and 19-year-old Reed Parlier were killed. Howell died after charging at the shooter, trying to protect other students from him.
Four other people were hurt.
The gunman pleaded guilty in 2019 and will spend the rest of his life in prison.
Riley Howell’s father, Thomas Howell, spoke ahead of the event about who his son was as a person.
“He’s a wonderful kid, strong memories there and people don’t let us forget it either, not that we’re going to,” said Howell.
UNC Charlotte has a full day of events planned for the 29th and 30th to remember Howell and Parlier.
Unite with us tomorrow as our community continues to embody #CharlotteStrong. Wear green, share personal reflections and join our in-person programming in remembrance of April 30 ➡️ https://t.co/pkjbO3qDXs pic.twitter.com/noJ3JKS470
— UNC Charlotte (@unccharlotte) April 28, 2022
There will be tables and message boards set up outside Kennedy Hall, where the shooting took place, for people to share personal reflections, as well as a remembrance stone event in the botanical gardens.
The community is also invited to participate in a 4.9 mile run or walk and a wreath laying outside of the Kennedy Building.
You can get a full list of events here.
MORE UNC CHARLOTTE TRAGEDY COVERAGE:
- Memorial held to mark 2 years since UNC Charlotte mass shooting
- Family of student killed in UNCC shooting reflects on his life one year after tragedy
- Students reflect one year after UNCC shooting
- NC high schools sell bracelets to raise money for ‘Riley Howell Foundation’
- ‘My superhero doesn’t wear a cape’: Riley Howell’s loved ones say final goodbye
- Riley Howell’s family reflects on impact UNCC student had on others
- Hundreds line streets as heroic UNCC students’ body escorted home
- ‘I want that to be his legacy’: Heroic UNCC student tackled gunman
- Slain UNCC student first citizen to receive CMPD Medal of Valor
- Classroom where gunman opened fire at UNCC will not be used next school year
- UNCC shooting survivor returns home from hospital
- Second student lauded for lifesaving actions during UNCC shooting
(WATCH BELOW: UNC Charlotte shooting victim’s family to receive special honor in his name)
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