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.
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.
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; 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. 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?
Authorities identified the victims as:
Taurean C. Sanderlin, 29, of Goodlettsville, Tennessee. She was a Waffle House employee.
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. The goal is to raise $15,000, and Shaw had already raised over $7,000 as of 11:30 p.m. Sunday.
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.
(CNN) Police warn that a gunman accused of killing four people early Sunday at a Waffle House near Nashville is on the run and is armed and dangerous.
Authorities suspect that 29-year-old Travis Reinking,who recently moved to the Nashville, Tennessee, area, may have two weapons on him -- a rifleand a hand gun. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation added Reinking to its "Top 10 Most Wanted" list, according to authorities.
Police swarmed homes and swaths of woods in the area of the shooting, searching for the suspect, who authorities believe may be close by. 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.
Sheriff's deputies 400 miles north of Nashville in Tazewell County, Illinois, where Reinking recently lived, were also on high alert.
"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.
BREAKING: Travis Reinking, 29, of Morton, IL, is person of interest in Waffle House shooting. Vehicle the gunman arrived in is registered to him. Gunman last seen walking south on Murfreesboro Pike. He shed is coat and is nude. See Reinking? Pls call 615-862-8600 immediately. pic.twitter.com/duoWCo5fC0 — Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) April 22, 2018
Reinking arrived at the Waffle House in Antioch, southeast of Nashville at 3:19 a.m., 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. Reinking got out of his pickup, wielding an "assault-type rifle," and fatally shot two people outside the Waffle House, police said.
Investigation on going at the Waffle House. Scene being processed by MNPD experts. This is the rifle used by the gunman. pic.twitter.com/lihhRImHQN — Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) April 22, 2018
"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.
Chuck Cordero, who was on a break from his job as a 24/7 roadside serviceman, was about to walk in to the restaurant when the shooting took place.
"I was very lucky -- where I usually sit, one woman was killed and another was shot," he told CNN. "I was very fortunate to have not gone into the Waffle House and sat in my car."
"My friend 'T,' the cook at Waffle House, died trying to get away," Cordero said.
Police say a Waffle House customer snatched the rifle from the gunman.
Reinking fatally shot 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.
"This morning, our city woke up to tragic news," Nashville Mayor David Briley said. "The fragility of life was brought home to us all by the death of four innocent Nashvillians."
It was the second mass shooting in Antioch in almost seven months.
'He is the hero'
The carnage stopped only because of the heroics of a customer who heard the gunshots and hid near the restaurant's bathrooms.
Police said the customer, identified by a relative as James Shaw Jr., 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.
James Shaw Jr., 29, took a selfie of himself Sunday showing an injury as well as a bandaged hand. Shaw was able to wrestle an AR-15 style rifle away from the shooter.
"He is the hero here, and no doubt he saved many lives by wrestling the gun away and then tossing it over the counter, and prompting the man to leave," he added.
Police said Reinking shed his jacket and fled on foot.
Later Sunday morning, he apparently "clothed himself with a pair of pants," Aaron said.
"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 man believed to be Travis Reinking was last seen in a wood line near Discovery at Mountain View Apts. on Mountain Springs Dr. near the Waffle House. The man was seen wearing black pants and no shirt. — Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) April 22, 2018
A police helicopter and a police dog tried to track the suspect after the shooting, but the dogs lost the scent, police said.
Authorities recovered Reinking's jacket nearby, which had two magazines of ammunition for an AR-15 style rifle, according to Aaron.
"He clearly came armed with a lot of firepower, intending to devastate the south Nashville area," Aaron said.
Suspect was once arrested near White House
after he crossed an exterior security barrier near the White House, said Todd Hudson, the special agent in charge of the Secret Service's Nashville field office. On July 7, 2017, the United States Secret Service arrested Reinking for unlawful entry, a misdemeanor,after he crossed an exterior security barrier near the White House, said Todd Hudson, the special agent in charge of the Secret Service's Nashville field office.
Authorities in Tazewell County, Illinois, and the FBI interviewed Reinking, Aaron said. 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, Aaron said.
Tazewell County Sheriff Robert Huston said the firearms were originally seized in August from a construction business that authorities believe is family owned.
At some point, the guns were given to Reinking's father, Jeffrey, with the understanding the father would secure the weapons and not return them to Travis, Huston said.
Reinking's father could possess the weapons under state law because he had a valid state firearms owner identification card, the sheriff said.
Huston said the officers did not believe they had any legal authority to withhold the weapons.
Reinking's father acknowledged that he had given the guns back to this son, Aaron 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 other weapons that were not found in his home.
"At this point, the young man could be anywhere, and whether he may try to return home is a distinct possibility," Huston said. "So our officers are definitely on alert."
Anderson said he doesn't know of any Tennessee law that Reinking would have violated by having the weapons in that state.
"We were not aware of him. He had not created any incident that brought him to our attention," Anderson added.
Suspect worked in construction
Reinking 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, Aaron said.
The suspect started with another construction company last Monday but did not show up for work the next day, Aaron said.
Waffle House, which has more than 1,500 locations across the country, offered its condolences.
"We ask for everyone to keep the victims and their families in their thoughts and prayers," the restaurant chain tweeted
"It's a very sad day indeed for our Waffle House family of associates and customers who are impacted by this tragedy today," said Waffle House CEO Walt Ehmer.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Four people were killed and several others were wounded in a shooting at a Waffle House in Tennessee early Sunday, authorities said. The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department identified the suspect as 29-year-old Travis Reinking of Morton, Illinois, who remains at large.
Reinking arrived at the Waffle House parking lot in Antioch around 3 a.m. local time. He exited his truck and began firing an AR-15 at two people outside the restaurant, Nashville Police spokesman Don Aaron said. He then went inside the restaurant and opened fire.
Authorities discovered two magazines of AR-15 ammunition in a green jacket Reinking left behind. "He clearly came armed with a lot of firepower to devastate the south Nashville area," Aaron said.
"There is a chance that Reinking is at large with two other weapons," he added. Police said they were not aware of any motives for the shooting.
"We suspect some mental issues but at this time there's no notes, no verbal explanations so we don't have a motive at this time," Nashville Police Chief Steve Anderson said in a news conference Sunday.
Metropolitan Nashville Police Department
Authorities identified the victims as 29-year-old restaurant worker Taurean C. Sanderlin of Goodlettsville, 20-year-old restaurant customer Joe R. Perez of Nashville, 21-year-old DeEbony Groves of Gallatin and 23-year-old Akilah DaSilva of Antioch.
Two patients were receiving care at Vanderbilt University Medical Center on Sunday, one was listed in critical condition and the other in stable.
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."
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."
Police praised a customer who prevented further bloodshed in the shooting. They said James Shaw Jr., 29, rushed Reinking, wrestled him to the ground and tossed the weapon. Shaw's hands were severely burned from grabbing the AR-15 but he still managed to push Reinking out of the establishment.
"He is the hero here, and no doubt he saved many lives by wrestling the gun away and then tossing it over the counter, and prompting the man to leave," Aaron said.
Shaw said he wasn't going to make it easy for Reinking to kill him and said he knew he only had one chance.
"I saw an opportunity -- my window -- so I took it. I ran through the door as fast as I could and just kind of jammed him up with the gun when it pointed down. We started wrestling and fighting for it. I just took it and tossed it over the counter. I pushed him out of the restaurant and he walked off," Shaw told WTVF-TV.
In July 2017, Reinking was arrested by U.S. Secret Service for being in a restrictive area near the White House. Special Agent Todd Hudson said Reinking had refused to leave the area, saying he wanted to set up a meeting with President Trump.
Reinking's firearms authorization was revoked in Illinois and four weapons were seized by authorities, among them was the AR-15 used in Sunday's shooting, police said. The guns were returned to Reinking's father, who told police he gave them back to his son.
Police said they discovered two guns, but two others were still unaccounted for.
Reinking was added to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation's (TBI) "Top Ten Most Wanted list" and authorities are offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to his arrest
Metro Nashville Police Department
A witness, Chuck Cordero, said he watched the gunman shoot his friend, who works as a cook at the restaurant.
"He pulled up, he got right out, he was prepared to do what he did. He didn't look around for anybody, he just kinda got out and just started shooting and there just happened to be two people standing right outside," Cordero told WTVF-TV.
Another witness, BJ McMurry, was inside the restaurant during the shooting. He said the "number one thing I could think about was calling my wife and my son."
"I don't think I've ever seen someone there like that -- someone lying on the floor bleeding and there's nothing you can do," McMurry told WTVF-TV.
Waffle House issued a statement saying they were "deeply saddened" by the "tragic incident."
"This is a very sad day for the Waffle House family, and we ask for everyone to keep the victims and their families in their thoughts and prayers," according to the statement.
As the manhunt continues for Reinking, Nashville officials announced on Facebook that schools in the search area will follow "lock out procedures." They explained that "students will be free to move throughout the building as usual, however there will be no guests or visitors allowed to enter the building":
We want to provide important information regarding our plans for school tomorrow (April 23) in light of the ongoing... Posted by Metro Nashville Public Schools on Sunday, April 22, 2018
CBS News' Gisela Perez contributed to this report.
