As part of UNC Charlotte's Day of Remembrance Friday, April 28, Niner Nation gathered to dedicate a permanent campus memorial to honor Reed Parlier and Riley Howell, who were killed, those who suffered physical injuries and everyone present in Kennedy Building 236 on April 30, 2019.
“This memorial forever captures the presence of Riley and Reed here in Niner Nation,” said Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber. “It will serve as a daily reminder of the resilience of our community and a place of peace and comfort for all those affected by the tragic events of April 30.”
“This beautiful memorial will help us share the story with all Niners who come after us,” said Kevin Bailey, vice chancellor for student affairs. “They will understand that when an ordinary day turned into our worst, we refused to be defined by it, but we did allow it to shape us – into an extraordinary and resilient community.”
We are all Niners.
Jeffrey A. Baker, chief of the UNC Charlotte Police, leads the procession of officers carrying the memorial wreaths during Friday’s ceremony.
“In the aftermath of April 30th, UNC Charlotte made a promise to Riley and Reed and their families, and to our survivors to remember what happened,” said Chancellor Sharon L. Gaber, during Friday’s ceremony. “Today, with the dedication of this permanent memorial right here in the heart of campus, we uphold that pledge.”
Tatiyana Larson, 2023-23 student body president, rings the University bell outside of the Kennedy Building during Friday’s ceremony.
Dedicated on Friday, April 28, the constellation garden unites Riley's love of nature with Reed's passion for technology to offer a lasting reminder to anyone on campus that their legacies will never fade.
The constellation garden memorial was designed to follow the orientation of the stars above the Kennedy Building four years ago on the night of April 30. The memorial’s arched framework – featuring touch-activated lights and surrounded by symbols-based plants that represent human emotions — will serve as a campus gathering place.
Photos by Kat Lawrence, UNC Charlotte photographer.