CHARLOTTE, N. C. – The gunman who killed two students and wounded four others at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte didn’t seem…
CHARLOTTE, N. C. – The gunman who killed two students and wounded four others at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte didn’t seem to be targeting anyone in particular but did choose the building to carry out his attack on purpose, authorities said Wednesday.
Former UNCC student Trystan Andrew Terrell, 22, has been formally charged with murder, attempted murder and other offenses related to Tuesday’s shooting during a class on the last day of classes before final exams.
Students were in class to make end-of-year presentations when the suspect started firing off a pistol, killing Ellis R. Parlier, 19, of Midland, North Carolina, and Riley C. Howell, 21, of Waynesville, North Carolina, officials said.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Kerr Putney said the bloodshed would have been worse if not for Howell tackling the gunman, getting fatally shot in the process.
“You’re either going to run, you’re going to hide and shield, or you’re going to take the fight to the assailant, » Putney said. « Having no place to run and hide, he did the last. But for his work, the assailant may not have been disarmed. Unfortunately, he gave his life in the process. But his sacrifice saved lives.”
Police disarmed and apprehended Terrell in the same room where shots were fired, UNCC Police Chief Jeff Baker said. Officers who were assembling nearby for a concert rushed to the classroom building and arrested the gunman.
He said Terrell was « not somebody… on our radar » before the shooting.
Putney said he promised the father of one of the victims that his detectives would do everything possible to find a motive for the assault, which has not been revealed.
