Naked except for a green jacket, he then fled, and he remained at large as of Sunday night. The police said murder warrants were being drafted.
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Don Aaron, a spokesman for the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, said at a news conference on Sunday that after leaving the restaurant, Mr. Reinking shed his jacket. In it were two magazines of AR-15 ammunition.
The police credited a customer with averting further bloodshed. The customer, James Shaw Jr., 29, seized the moment when he saw Mr. Reinking apparently trying to reload his rifle. Mr. Shaw burst out from behind a swinging door where he had been hiding, wrested the weapon away and threw it over a countertop.
“I kind of made up my mind, because there was no way to lock that door, that if it was going to come down to it, he was going to have to work to kill me,” Mr. Shaw said at the news conference.
Mr. Reinking fled on foot, and apparently returned to his apartment nearby to put on pants. He was last seen shirtless and shoeless, Police Chief Steve Anderson said. Investigators had yet to determine a motive for the killings.
Officials could not fully explain how Mr. Reinking regained possession of his weapons after they were taken away following his episode near the White House last year, which prompted federal authorities to work with county officials in Illinois to investigate Mr. Reinking. The Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office in Illinois gave the weapons he owned — including the AR-15 he took to the Waffle House on Sunday — to his father.
Sheriff Robert M. Huston of Tazewell County said in a news conference on Sunday that while Mr. Reinking “voluntarily surrendered” the weapons on Aug. 24, his father had a firearm owner’s identification card and a legal right to take the weapons.
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“He was allowed to do that after he assured deputies that he would keep them secure and away from Travis,” Sheriff Huston said. “We have no information about how Travis came back into possession of those firearms.”
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The police in Nashville indicated that Mr. Reinking’s father returned the weapons to his son. The father, Jeffrey Reinking, could not be reached for comment on Sunday.
Even before he went to Washington, Mr. Reinking had a history of encounters with law enforcement in Illinois.
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According to one sheriff’s report from May 27, 2016, he “was delusional and believed the famous entertainer, Taylor Swift, was harassing him via stalking and hacking his phone.” It added that he said he found Ms. Swift at a Dairy Queen in Morton and chased her before she disappeared.
Mr. Reinking’s family members said he had had these delusions since August 2014. The report noted that “Travis is hostile towards police and does not recognize police authority.”
In another episode on June 16, 2017, in Tremont, Ill., the police responded to a complaint that Mr. Reinking, wearing a woman’s pink housecoat, jumped into a pool and began arguing with lifeguards to get them to fight with him. No one at the pool wanted to press charges, the report said.
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Mr. Reinking’s attempt to meet with the president came one month later.
Mr. Aaron said Mr. Reinking was believed to have moved to Nashville in the fall and worked in the crane and construction industries. Mr. Reinking was fired from a job about three weeks ago and found a new job, Mr. Aaron said, but had not been seen at work since Monday.
The authorities said Mr. Reinking could still be in possession of a handgun and a rifle, which Chief Anderson described as “more of a hunting-type rifle than an assault rifle.”
The Nashville police identified the four people who died as one Waffle House employee, Taurean C. Sanderlin, 29, of Goodlettsville; and three customers: Joe R. Perez, 20, of Nashville; DeEbony Groves, 21, of Gallatin; and Akilah Dasilva, 23, of Antioch.
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Jennifer Wetzel, a spokeswoman for Vanderbilt University Medical Center, said one wounded victim was in critical condition and another was in critical but stable condition. Two other victims were treated for minor injuries and discharged from TriStar Southern Hills Medical Center in Nashville, said Katie Radel, a spokeswoman there.
Waffle House restaurants are open 24 hours and speckled throughout the South, especially along the interstates.
The gunfire on Sunday was the latest burst of violence at one of the chain’s outposts. In January, an altercation at a Waffle House in Missouri turned fatal when a security guard opened fire. And a deadly shooting outside a location in Florida that same month recently led to a lawsuit.
Still, Sunday’s attack was especially jarring in its method and magnitude.
Walt Ehmer, the company’s chief executive, said it was a “very sad day” and thanked Mr. Shaw. “You are a hero,” he said. “You’re my hero.”
But Mr. Shaw demurred. “I’m not a hero,” he said, adding that he acted out of self-preservation.
(CNN) Authorities are searching for Travis Reinking, who is suspected of carrying out a mass shooting at a Waffle House restaurant in the Nashville area on Sunday, killing four people. He is believed to be armed and dangerous.
Here's what we know about the incident:
What happened?
Reinking, 29, approached a Waffle House in Antioch around 3:23 a.m. (4:23 a.m. ET) and used an "assault-type rifle" to fatally shoot two people standing outside, according to Nashville police spokesman Don Aaron . Reinking, who was barely clothed at the time, then went inside the restaurant and continued firing, police said. Two victims inside were also fatally shot. Others were wounded, suffering cuts to their faces and bodies from shattered windows.
The shooting ended when a patron, James Shaw Jr. , was able to wrestle the weapon away from the gunman, who then fled on foot.
Who is the suspected gunman?
Travis Reinking
Reinking is from Morton, Illinois. He moved to Tennessee in 2017.
According to police, Reinking was once arrested by the Secret Service for trespassing near the White House . He was charged with unlawful entry, an arrest report states, but had his charges dismissed after completing community service.
The FBI interviewed Reinking shortly after he completed the program and seized his guns. Authorities in Tazewell County, Illinois, later returned the seized weapons to Reinking's father, who gave them back to his son, police said. One of those guns was the same AR-15-style rifle used in Sunday's attack.
In May 2016, Reinking experienced a delusional episode in his hometown of Morton, according to a police report. He told first responders that he believed pop star Taylor Swift was stalking him. Reinking's family also told police he had made comments about killing himself and owned several guns.
Who are the victims?
Taurean C. Sanderlin, 29, of Goodlettsville, Tennessee.
Joe R. Perez, 20, of Nashville.
Akilah Dasilva, 23, of Antioch.
DeEbony Groves, 21, of Gallatin.
What happened to the man who stopped the shooting?
JUST WATCHED Man hailed as hero: It could've been me Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Man hailed as hero: It could've been me 01:40
The man who wrestled the gun away from Reinking and prevented him from killing more people doesn't want to be called a hero.
James Shaw Jr. said he ambushed and wrestled Reinking to save himself.
"I'm a believer that everybody could do what I did," Shaw told CNN affiliate WSMV-TV
Shaw tackled Reinking as he was looking at his rifle and had stopped shooting.
"He decided to rush the gunman, actually wrestled that assault rifle away, tossed it over the counter. At that point, the gunman then fled," said Aaron.
Shaw was grazed by a bullet on his elbow while grappling with the gunman. He also burned his right hand grabbing the barrel of the weapon.
The shooting didn't stop Shaw from going to church with his father Sunday morning, hours after confronting the gunman. His hand could be seen wrapped in a bandage during a press conference Sunday afternoon.
Shaw also created a GoFundMe page Sunday to assist the victims of the shooting, a GoFundMe spokeswoman told CNN. Within hours, the $15,000 goal had almost been met.
What's happening now?
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has added Reinking to its "Top 10 Most Wanted List" and launched a massive manhunt for the shooter, who they believe may still be armed and dangerous.
Feel free to RT this image with relevant case details! Thank you for helping us spread the word about this wanted fugitive! pic.twitter.com/0ppwp5av3v — TBI (@TBInvestigation) April 22, 2018
"Keep your doors locked, keep your eyes open. If you see this individual -- if you see a nude guy walking around this morning -- call the police department immediately," Aaron said.
Nashville police said more than 80 officers are searching for Reinking with the help of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.
Reinking faces felony charges, including three counts of criminal homicide.
In Tazewell, Illinois, where Reinking's guns were originally seized, Sheriff Robert Huston said in a Sunday press conference that he wasn't sure if Reinking is headed back to the area, but that his department is ready for it.
Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly identified Taurean C. Sanderlin as a woman.
(CNN) A massive manhunt is underway for the gunman accused of killing four people early Sunday at a Waffle House near Nashville, Tennessee.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has added 29-year-old Travis Reinking to its "Top 10 Most Wanted" list after he allegedly opened fire at the restaurant in Antioch, southeast of Nashville at 3:19 a.m.
Reinking's alleged motive is unknown and authorities warn that he may still be armed with a rifle and a hand gun.
The hunt
After Reinking fled the scene of the shooting completely naked, police believe he went to his apartment, put on a pair of pants and may have escaped into the woods.
"A man believed to be Travis Reinking was last seen in a wood line near Discovery at Mountain View Apts. on Mountain Springs Drive near the Waffle House," police tweeted . "The man was seen wearing black pants and no shirt."
A police helicopter and a police dog tried to track the suspect after the shooting, but the dogs lost the scent, police said.
Nashville police said more than 80 officers are now searching for Reinking with the help of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.
"He's murdered four times with no apparent reason and no apparent motive. So we're very concerned," said Metropolitan Nashville Police Chief Steve Anderson.
Police have warned residents to keep their doors locked and "eyes open."
Nashville schools will follow lock-out procedures Monday until police notify education authorities that the suspect is no longer in the area, Metro Nashville Public Schools said on Facebook. Lock-out means no guests or visitors will be allowed inside school buildings.
Sheriff's deputies 400 miles north of Nashville in Tazewell County, Illinois, where Reinking recently lived, are also on high alert.
What we know about the shooter
Reinking is from Morton, Illinois and is believed to have moved to the Nashville area last fall. He worked in construction and was fired from a job about three weeks ago, police said.
They said the suspect started with another construction company last Monday but did not show up for work Tuesday.
Reinking said he wanted to meet with US President Donald Trump and told a Secret Service officer at the northeast entrance that he was a "sovereign citizen" who had a "right to inspect the grounds," according to a Metropolitan Police Department incident report dated July 7, 2017.
He was charged with unlawful entry, an arrest report states, but the charges were dismissed after he completed community service.
At the FBI's request, Reinking's Illinois firearms authorization was revoked, and four weapons -- including the AR-15 style rifle used in the Sunday's shooting -- were seized
Authorities in Tazewell County, Illinois, later returned the seized weapons to Reinking's father, who gave them back to his son, police said.
Authorities so far have recovered two weapons, including one found Sunday at Reinking's one-bedroom apartment, police said. But they are concerned he may have the two others.
In May 2016, Reinking experienced a delusional episode telling first responders that he believed pop star Taylor Swift was stalking him, according to a police report.
Reinking's family also told police he had made comments about killing himself.
What happened inside the restaurant
Reinking arrived at the Waffle House wearing nothing but a green jacket, Metro Nashville Police spokesman Don Aaron said.
The suspected gunman sat in his pickup truck for 3 1/2 to 4 minutes "just looking at people inside the restaurant," Aaron said.
JUST WATCHED Police: Man rushed gunman, grabbed gun Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH Police: Man rushed gunman, grabbed gun 02:06
Reinking then got out of his pickup, wielding an "assault-type rifle," and fatally shot two people outside the Waffle House, police said.
"He then went inside the restaurant (and) continued firing," Aaron said. He said police responded to an active shooter call at 3:25 a.m.
Some witnesses suffered cuts on their faces from shattered windows. Two more victims inside the restaurant were fatally shot.
The victims
Reinking is accused of fatally shooting Waffle House employee Taurean C. Sanderlin, 29, of Goodlettsville, Tennessee and customer Joe R. Perez, 20, of Nashville outside of the restaurant, police said. Akilah Dasilva, 23, of Antioch, who was shot inside, later died at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, according to authorities.
DeEbony Groves, 21 of Gallatin, Tennessee, was fatally wounded in the restaurant, police said.
Shanita Waggoner, 21, of Nashville, and Sharita Henderson, 24, of Antioch, were injured by gunfire and were being treated at Vanderbilt.
The hero
The carnage stopped only because of the heroics of a customer, James Shaw Jr., who monitored the gunman's moves from afar and jumped into action when he saw an opportunity.
"He saw the gunman looking at his rifle. At that point, the shots had stopped. So he decided to rush the gunman, actually wrestled that assault rifle away, tossed it over the counter. At that point, the gunman then fled," Aaron said.
At a news conference, Shaw denied that he was a hero, saying his actions were "a selfish act" to save himself.
Authorities have released details about the victims of Sunday's shooting that left four people dead at a Waffle House in Tennessee. They were identified as 29-year-old Taurean C. Sanderlin, 20-year-old Joe R. Perez, 21-year-old DeEbony Groves and 23-year-old Akilah DaSilva.
Two patients were receiving care at Vanderbilt University Medical Center on Sunday, one was listed in critical condition and the other in stable.
Nashville Mayor David Briley described the shooting as "a tragic day" for the city.
"My heart goes out to the families & friends of every person who was killed or wounded," Briley said in an statement. "I know all of their lives will be forever changed by this devastating crime."
Taurean C. Sanderlin, 29
Taurean Sanderlin of Goodlettsville was a restaurant employee and was killed outside.
DeEbony Groves, 21
DeEbony Groves of Gallatin was inside the restaurant and was fatally shot.
Local media writes that Groves was remembered as a brilliant young woman and tenacious basketball player. She was an exceptional student and star athlete at Gallatin High before enrolling at Belmont University where she placed on the dean's list.
"She was a brilliant young lady, very, very intelligent and a very hard worker," former Gallatin High School basketball coach Kim Kendrick said of Groves. "She was a very likable young lady. She was one of three seniors on her team, and she was a great role model for the other players because of her hard work and dedication to her studies and to her school."
Groves was a senior at Belmont University majoring in social work.
CBS affiliate WTVF-TV posted a statement from the university saying the campus community is "shocked and devastated":
"DeEbony Groves was a senior at Belmont University majoring in social work. The entire campus community is shocked and devastated by how such senseless violence has taken the life of this young woman, an individual full of immense potential. We extend our thoughts and prayers to her family and friends as they come to terms with unimaginable grief. Belmont will be offering counseling and other support services to members of our campus in the coming hours and days."
Joe R. Perez, 20
Joe Perez of Nashville was at the restaurant at the time of the shooting and was killed outside.
Perez's mother posted on Facebook that "today is the hardest day of my life. Me, my husband and sons are broken right now with this loss. Our lives are shattered."
Akilah DaSilva, 23
Courtesy of the DaSilva family
Akilah DaSilva of Antioch was critically wounded inside the restaurant and later died at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
DaSilva's mother, Shaundelle Brooks, told CBS News her son was a student at Middle Tennessee State University where he pursued a career in musical engineering.
"He meant the world us. He was humble, kind, compassionate, outgoing and very creative. We could describe him in so many words. He spoke through his creativity and he entertained the world through his music," she said. "Akilah ... meaning the intelligent one who reasons."
CBS affiliate WTVF-TV writes that DaSilva went by the nickname "Natrix."
DaSilva's family said he was one of six siblings and "hopes that in the midst of this senseless act of terrorism and hate, his life will not be in vain."
"He had a smile that could light up a room and a laugh that would warm your heart," his family said. "He embodied compassion and had a zeal for life. A loving son and selfless friend, he was a beacon of hope, love, and strength in his family."
They added: "We hope that this tremendous loss will spark tangible action in true gun law reform so no other family would ever have to experience this sort of tragedy."
A verified GoFundMe page has been setup in DaSilva's honor.
The family said his girlfriend, 21-year-old Shanita Waggoner, was one of those wounded in the shooting. They said she underwent surgery and doctors were "trying to save her leg."
Reuters
CBS News' Gisela Perez contributed to this report.
