TENNESSEE — Four people were killed and at least four were wounded when a man armed with a rifle ‘randomly’ opened fire at a Nashville restaurant early Sunday.
Police say the gunman opened fire at 3:25 a.m. at the Waffle House, located at 3571 Murfreesboro Pike in the Antioch section of the city. He was nude, except wearing only a jacket.
As the crime unfolded, 29-year-old James Shaw Jr. wrestled the rifle away from the shooter, causing him to flee on foot. Shaw Jr. suffered a cut to his arm.
“I don’t really know, when everyone said that (of being a hero), it feels selfish,” Shaw Jr. told The Tennessean. “I was just trying to get myself out. I saw the opportunity and pretty much took it.”
“I remember I was like ‘Dang, I’m basically in a barrel,’ ” Shaw Jr. said. “There is no place for me to go.”
“When he came in, I distinctively remember thinking that he is going to have to work for this kill,” Shaw Jr. said. “I had a chance to stop him and thankfully I stopped him.”
He added: “I grabbed the gun and kept it down. He had one hand on it. I pulled it away and threw it over the bar.”
“While I was in hospital, a girl that was there said you saved my life,” he said. “I didn’t do it to be hero.”
The Metro Nashville Police Department have lunched a manhunt for the suspected shooter, Travis Reinking, 29, of Morton, Illinois.
The victims have been identified as:
– Taurean Sanderlin, 29, of Goodlettsville – Employee of Waffle House
– Joe Perez, 20, of Nashville
– 21-year-old woman from Gallatin
– Akilah Dasilva, 23, of Antioch
Investigators believe the attack was random. Reinking is known to both federal and state law enforcement in Illinois due to ‘previous incidents,’ WSMV reported.
Officials confirm Reinking was previously arrested for being in a restricted area near the White House in July 2017.
According to the FBI, Reinking’s father admits to giving the AR-15 used in today’s shooting back to his son after it was seized by authorities.
The vehicle Reinking arrived in was left behind and is registered to him, police say. He last seen walking south on Murfreesboro Pike and is considered armed and dangerous.
Two victims were killed outside the restaurant, police said. The gunman then entered the restaurant and continued firing, striking four more people, killing an additional two.
“He did not say anything,” Witness Chuck Cordero said of the suspect. “He pulled up, got out of his car and was all business.”
12:04 update: highway patrol now assisting in the search for suspected Waffle House shooter Travis Reinking @WSMV pic.twitter.com/P77Kd6ak2r
— Kevin Trager (@KevinWSMV) April 22, 2018
An eyewitness describes the scene after four people were shot and four others injured at a Waffle House in Antioch early Sunday morning. pic.twitter.com/PXiWvms6Tz
— WSMV News4 Nashville (@WSMV) April 22, 2018
There is a sense of urgency but it does not appear to be a standoff situation at the apartment building right now. Waiting for update from police. @WSMV pic.twitter.com/OObW2Wx996
— Kevin Trager (@KevinWSMV) April 22, 2018
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam issued this statement:
“Crissy and I are deeply saddened by the tragic incident in Antioch early this morning, and we mourn the lives taken in this senseless act of violence. I encourage everyone in the Antioch area to take safety precautions as Metro Police continue to search for the suspect.”
This is a very sad day for the Waffle House family. We ask for everyone to keep the victims and their families in their thoughts and prayers.
— Waffle House News (@WaffleHouseNews) April 22, 2018
Nashville Mayor David Briley released this statement:
“It’s a tragic day for our city anytime people lose their lives at the hands of a gunman. My heart goes out to the families and friends of every person who was killed or wounded in this morning’s shooting. I know all of their lives will be forever changed by this devastating crime.”
“There’s clearly more to be said about these circumstances, but for now I ask Nashville to pray for and rally around these victims and join me in thanking the Metro Nashville Police Department as it works to find and apprehend the shooter.”
U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper, D-Nashville, released this statement:
“Nashville woke up to devastating news. We mourn the innocent victims and thank our brave first responders. Many will say now is not the time to discuss change. But now IS the time. We can and must do everything possible to prevent these tragedies and keep Americans safe. That starts with restricting widespread civilian access to military-grade assault weapons.”
