Statement from A-B Tech Community College Vice President for Student Services Dr. Terry Brasier:
The A-B Tech community was incredibly saddened to learn of the death of student Riley Howell in the UNC Charlotte shooting.
Riley, who is from Asheville and a graduate of T.C. Roberson High School, attended A-B Tech from 2016 to 2018 and transferred to UNC Charlotte last year. Like me, If you had an opportunity to meet Riley or interact with him, you would have been immediately struck with his positive and infectious energy for life and respect for others. Our faculty and staff who knew Riley particularly are devastated and were not surprised to learn that he was a hero in this tragic event.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Riley’s family, the T.C. Roberson and UNC Charlotte community at this very difficult time.
Statement from Buncombe County Schools:
We can confirm that Riley Howell, one of the victims of Tuesday’s UNC- Charlotte shooting, is a 2016 graduate of T.C. Roberson High School. Our hearts go out to his family in this very difficult time. Buncombe County Schools student services department is providing counselors and a crisis team today at Roberson to provide support to teachers and students who may be struggling with this news. We can also confirm that Riley’s mother is an employee at Valley Springs Middle School. We have a crisis team in place there, as well. Our focus today is supporting Riley’s friends and family as they cope with this situation. Extra counselors will be in place at these schools for as long as is needed. At this time, we will not be able to arrange any interviews with BCS staff members. We ask for the media’s assistance in maintaining the privacy and dignity of our students, faculty, and staff during this grieving process.
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