Riley Howell was likely the second fatality in the UNC Charlotte shooting, but not before he attempted to stop the gunman — and in the process, saved lives, said Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Chief Kerr Putney.

Putney said he promised Howell's father he would not give many details on the incident, but said multiple times that the 2016 T.C. Roberson High School graduate prevented other deaths.

Howell's decision to fight may have helped police disarm the gunman, identified by law enforcement as ex-UNCC student Trystan Andrew Terrell.

"He took the assailant off his feet," Putney said during a May 1 press conference in Charlotte. "And the heroes that we have here were able to apprehend from there."

'He was that kind of guy'

Howell, 21, was one of two people killed April 30 when police say a gunman opened fire in a UNCC classroom building. Four others, three of whom remained in critical condition, were injured.

"If he (Howell) did attempt to stop the shooter, that would make perfect sense with his personality," said Andrew Devine, Howell's cross-country coach his senior year at Roberson. "He was that kind of guy."

Howell transferred to Roberson from Tucsola High School in Haywood County his sophomore year. He attended Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College from 2016 before transferring to UNCC last fall.

"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," said Terry Brasier, A-B Tech vice president for student services.

"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."

Terrell, 22, is charged with two counts of murder, four counts of attempted murder, four counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, possessing a firearm on educational property and discharging a firearm on educational property.

Officials said Terrell was last enrolled at UNCC in fall 2018.

Riley Howell 'gave his life in the process'

"We're going to give (his family) closure," Putney said during a May 1 press conference in Charlotte. "But (Howell), seeing exactly what was going on, did exactly what we train people to do.

"You're either going to run, hide and shield, or you're going to take the fight to assailant. Having no place to run and hide, he did the last. But for his work, the assailant may have not been disarmed. Unfortunately, he gave his life in the process."

Nineteen-year-old Ellis Parlier of Midland also was killed in the shooting. Four others were injured, three of whom remain in critical condition.

Drew Pescaro, 19, Sean Dehart, 20, Rami Al-Ramadhan, 20, and Emily Houpt, 23, were injured, UNCC Chancellor Philip Dubois told WBT News.

A statement from the Howell family obtained by WLOS-TV called him "truly a one of a kind guy" who loved the outdoors and his family.

"He was the kind of person who you knew would take care of you the moment you met him, and he always did," the statement said. "He radiated love and always will. As a friend said, 'Beautiful souls like Riley are always with us in the way they made life more beautiful.'"

Past educators weigh in on Howell's death

"Riley was a student at TCR, and he graduated during my last year as principal in 2016. He was both athletic and studious, taking many honors and AP classes. I always remembered him as a kind student who always had a smile on his face. The staff at T.C. and all of our schools work to build strong relationships with our students. We are keenly aware of the extra supports we need to have in place during difficult times like this. Our Student Services department has a crisis team mobilized to assist at T.C for this reason." — Amy Rhoney, former T.C. Roberson principal and current Buncombe County Schools director of special services

"The violent and tragic passing of Riley Howell has touched the lives of everyone in our community. How could it not? I remember precisely where Riley sat in my classroom. I remember our conversations. I remember Riley's enthusiasm for life, infectious smile, and bright-eyed amiability. He was as easy to love as he so easily loved others. My heart breaks for his friends and family, and especially, his siblings. I can think of only one way to describe his passing— heart-wrenching." — Tristen Plemmons, Roberson English teacher

"It took a long, long time to get him here [to the cross country team] joining late in his final high school year, but Riley was an invaluable addition to the team. As I reflect on his character I remember that he was bright, independent, kind, and optimistic; he had a special affinity for the outdoors; his hallmarks were a big grin and a carefree spirit; and, his teammates loved and respected him. It was a privilege to be his coach." — Andrew Devine, Roberson cross-country coach

"The Roberson community has been touched by tragedy today. Riley Howell lost his life saving others. Riley played soccer, ran cross country, but, more importantly, was a part of our greater Roberson family. He will be missed and remembered as an individual, who, in the moment of greatest peril, sacrificed for the lives of others. He lived his life in service of others and his light was extinguished way too soon. We join countless communities who have experienced the same violence in mourning one of our sons, one of our brothers, one of our students, one of our players, one of our own." — Josh Martin, Roberson soccer coach

"Riley was an incredible young man (as so often seems to be the case when these senseless tragedies occur). If one tried to describe him, he was a lover of just about everything outdoors. Inside the building, he was an unfailingly kind person and for those of us lucky enough to call him a friend, he was fiercely loyal. He rarely had a frown upon his face, instead, he smiled and brought joy to those around him at all times. He was honest, especially with himself. When he made mistakes, he did not make excuses; he would just smile, shrug his shoulders, admit his mistake, and then do better. His giving spirit will be truly missed, and we were lucky to have him in our lives, however short a time that that might have been." — Brian Feid, Roberson social studies teacher

USA TODAY contributed to this report.