James Shaw Jr. doesn’t feel comfortable with the hero label, but despite his humility, he is every bit deserving.
Chaos broke at in the early morning hours at a Waffle House in Antioch, Tennessee as a suspect entered and started shooting shortly after 3:00am. According to the Tennessean, the 29-year-old Shaw Jr. somehow managed to rush the shooter and take the rifle out of his hands.
“It feels selfish,” Shaw said of being called a hero. “I was just trying to get myself out. I saw the opportunity and pretty much took it.”
One of the shots grazed off his arm, but despite the obvious life threatening danger directly in front of him, he kept on charging.
“I was like ‘Dang, I’m basically in a barrel. There is no place for me to go,” Shaw recalled. The moment the killer paused for a , Shaw took decisive action and rushed him head on.
“His gun either jammed or he had to reload, not exactly sure but I saw my opportunity, my window, and I took it. It wasn’t a process of thinking, it was an out. If I let him reload that weapon there wouldn’t have been another chance. When he came in, I distinctively remember thinking that he is going to have to work for this kill. I had a chance to stop him and thankfully I stopped him. I grabbed the gun and kept it down. He had one hand on it. I pulled it away and threw it over the bar,” Shaw explained to the Tennessean.
The killer took four innocent lives, but it could’ve been much worse if it weren’t for the quick-thinking and heroic actions of Shaw.
Watch Shaw explain the horrifying scene
According to reports, the suspect fled on foot – naked – and is still at large. Shaw said he chose not to pursue the suspect because he thought he could still be armed.
Police are seeking Travis Reinking, 29, as a person of interest in the murders.
Call 615-862-8600 if you have any information.