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UNCC shooting victims honored with humanitarian award for ‘exceptional service’ to community

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Two students who lost their lives in last year’s tragic shooting at the University of North Carolina Charlotte are now awarded with a local humanitarian award recognizing their service.

Friday, Riley Howell and Reed Parlier were awarded the Nish Jamgotch Jr. Humanitarian Award. It goes to an individual or group that demonstrates exceptional service to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community.

The award committee said while their contributions to the community will never be known, both families have used the tragedy to provide inspiration and awareness on issues ranging from families impacted by gun violence to college education for deserving students.

On April 30, a man opened fire on campus inside Kennedy Hall.

Six students were shot. Riley Howell died when he tried to stop the shooter. Reed Parlier was also killed.

The Niner Nation Remembrance Commission recently released its final report for a memorial on UNCC’s campus honoring the victims of the shooting.

The commission recommended it will be a “significant, focal memorial and commemorative space in Belk Plaza.” It hopes this memorial will evoke the unity, strength and resilience of the UNCC community.

While a decision will not be finalized until April 2021, the commission said they anticipate spending $1 million on the memorial.

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