Star Wars Universe has announced it will be honoring North Carolina school student who prevented more injuries and deaths after a gunman opened fire in a classroom earlier this year.
Riley Howell, a North Carolina school student, was one of the two students who lost his life after tackling a gunman who opened fire in his classroom on April 30, 2019.
Police have hailed Riley as a hero for his bravery shown during the shooting at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte stating he prevented more injuries and deaths.
Riley was described as a huge Star Wars fan, and in May, the fan relations team for Lucas film wrote a letter to Howell’s family expressing condolences.
According to reports, the Star Wars universe plans to honor the North Carolina school hero in a forthcoming book; Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker – The Visual Dictionary. The book was released by publisher DK to coincide with the release of the new film Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
Lucas Seastrom, a fan relations team member, said Riley’s courage and selflessness bring out the Jedi in all of us. He further stated the inclusion of Riley into the Star Wars franchise is their way of honoring his life while encouraging people to see him as an example and to help them rejoice in his memory.
Seastrom stated:
As a small tribute, our Story Group has incorporated a reimagining of Riley’s name as a character in the Star Wars galaxy, the Force will be with Riley, and all of you, always.
Parents, North Carolina school reactions
Riley’s parents expressed their joy towards the new of the inclusion of the North Carolina school “Hero” as a Jedi into the Star Wars franchise.
Riley’s mother, Natalie Henry-Howell, said that this marks the second time her son has appeared in a Star Wars book. According to her, when he was a little boy, an uncle had a personalized book made for Riley that put him in the starring role of “The Phantom Menace.”
Henry-Howell, Riley’s father said he was pleased with the way they left his last name. He stressed that he was glad that they left the name untouched as they could have easily gone for Ri-Lee or something else and we’d be guessing the whole time about whether or not that was him.
According to him, the entire family went to see the new movie on opening night. They brought his ashes and left a seat open for him.
Howell’s siblings said their brother’s final good deed exemplified just who he was.
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte also applauded Lucasfilm for this feat, stating Riley’s bravery would always live on in the heart of the school and every student he sacrificed himself for that day.
Riley’s girlfriend posted on TikTok that the Jedi honour was the best news they have gotten all year. She expressed he thanks towards Lucasfilm for making him part of the Star Wars universe forever.
The North Carolina school shooting incident
A gunman reportedly entered the UNC Charlotte on April 30 and opened fire in a classroom in the Kennedy building on campus.
Police said Howell ran at the shooter and took the assailant off his feet, which helped the officers make the arrest.
Howell Riley and 19-year-old Ellis “Reed” Parlier was killed, while four other students were injured, but police say Howell’s actions prevented more injuries or loss of life.
