Day of Remembrance 2024

Dear Niner Nation,

Today marks five years since UNC Charlotte’s darkest day, the shooting on April 30, 2019. This morning, we will honor the lives of Reed Parlier and Riley Howell, and recognize the strength of our survivors with a wreath laying and bell ringing at the Constellation Garden Remembrance Memorial at 8:30 a.m.

In the wake of this terrible tragedy, Niner Nation saw the very best in one another, as our campus, the surrounding Charlotte community and the nation grieved together. Like in 2019, this year, our city is once again in mourning following the tragic deaths of three members of a U.S. Marshals task force and a CMPD officer yesterday, and the wounding of several other officers. We hold the victims’ families, the survivors and their law enforcement colleagues in our hearts today as we pause to remember those we lost – Riley and Reed. 

The legacies of these young men live on in the hearts of Niner Nation and through the memorial, which was dedicated last year as a place of peace and reflection for our community and visitors. 

Even for those of us who joined Charlotte after April 30, 2019, honoring Reed and Riley and acknowledging the resilience of the survivors is a powerful responsibility and honor. Please join me today in engaging in a moment of reflection and remembrance. Niner Nation will never forget.

Sincerely,

Sharon L. Gaber
Chancellor