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Corn maze dedicated to UNC Charlotte shooting hero now open

The Cold Mountain Corn Maze is designed to look like Riley Howell when viewed from the air.

CANTON, N.C. — A corn maze dedicated to Riley Howell, the UNC Charlotte student credited with sacrificing his life to stop a gunman in his classroom, opened last weekend for the fall.

According to Cold Mountain Corn Maize's Facebook page, Howell's family attended the maze's opening with the Tuscola High School ROTC.

RELATED: Canton corn maze to honor a 'true hero:' Riley Howell

Located on five acres in Haywood County, Skipper Russell has tended and changed the design of the maze every season for 15 years.

He designed the maze to look like Howell from the air after the student, a Haywood County native, prevented a gunman from harming more people in his UNC Charlotte classroom back in the spring.

The Riley Howell Foundation will receive a portion of the money the maze will raise.

"He gave his life to protect a bunch of [people]," Russell said. "It's out of respect for him and out of respect for his family."

The maze is closed Mondays and Tuesdays and is open through October.

RELATED: 'He's a true hero' | A Vietnam Veteran awarded slain UNCC student, Riley Howell, with a Purple Heart and Bronze Star

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