(Charlotte, N.C.) (WCNC) — Riley Howell, one of the two people who died after a gunman opened fire on the campus of UNC Charlotte, didn’t have the option to run or hide — so he chose to fight back, according to WCNC.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Kerr Putney says Howell was fatally shot while trying to stop the shooter — a sacrifice he says saved countless lives.

Officials say Howell was trapped inside a classroom and he didn’t have the option to run or hide, so he fought back. Putney said Riley “took the fight to the assailant. Unfortunately, he had to give his life to do so, but he saved lives doing so.” Howell took the assailant off his feet, but lost his life in the process. He added that “Mr. Howell saved lives.”

Howell’s family released a statement through a spokesperson Wednesday, describing the ‘lovable and one of a kind guy’ they lost.

“He was friends with anyone and every one — a big, muscular guy with a huge heart. He loved Star Wars, birds, cars, snowboarding, going to the lake, Kentucky Hot Browns cooking from scratch with cast iron while listening to the Feel Good Classic Soul playlist, and his Lauren. He could also put away a pizza,” the statement read.

The family’s statement says that he was fiercely loyal to his friends. “He was the kind of person who you knew would take care of you the moment you met him, and he always did.”