ANTIOCH, Tenn. (WKRN) – The manhunt has ended for the 29-year-old man who reportedly opened fire at a Waffle House restaurant near Nashville early Sunday morning, killing four people and injuring several others.
The Metro Nashville Police Department reports Travis Reinking is in police custody.
BREAKING: Murder suspect Travis Reinking is in custody. Arrested moments ago. pic.twitter.com/WwuDCXDCGQ— Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) April 23, 2018
Travis Reinking is accused of firing multiple rounds at the Waffle House located at 3571 Murfreesboro Pike just before 3:30 a.m.
Monday morning, Metro police said no credible sightings of Reinking had been reported as 160 officers, including SWAT teams, FBI and ATF agents continued to search the area. Just after 2 p.m. Monday, a tweet from the department confirmed the accused killer is in police custody.
Metro Schools announced that all after-school activities, including athletics, are canceled on Monday afternoon. Police were stationed at schools in the Antioch area Monday morning.
Witnesses reported Reinking shot two people outside of the diner before going inside and opening fire.
In all, four people were killed and four others were hurt.
The victims have been identified as Waffle House employee Tauren Sanderlin. The 29-year-old was killed outside the restaurant. Patron Joe R. Perez was killed while standing outside, police said.
Akilah Dasilva, 23, was critically wounded inside the Waffle House and later died at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. A 21-year-old woman, identified as DeEbony Groves, a senior at Belmont University, was also killed inside the restaurant.
Belmont released a statement on Groves tragic death, saying in part, “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.”
Shanita Waggoner, 21, and Sharita Henderson, 24, were also injured and were taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center for treatment. They have since been upgraded to stable condition, according to VUMC.
Two other victims were also injured. They have since been treated and released.
A GoFundMe account has been set up for the victims.
Metro Police Chief Steve Anderson said the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, Secret Service and Homeland Security and police were all involved in the search for Reinking. Metro police said more than 80 officers assisted.
“We suspect some mental issues,” Chief Anderson said. “But we don’t have a motive at this time. I don’t have a report of him saying anything else.”
At the time of the shooting, police said Reinking was naked, except for a jacket, and was using an assault-style weapon.
James Shaw Jr. Is being hailed a hero for tackling the gunman and getting the gun away from him. He suffered cuts on his hands and was grazed by a bullet.
“I just knew it was me or him,” said Shaw. “I did that completely out of a selfish act. I was doing it to save myself. I wasn’t terminator or superman. I figured if I was going to die, he was going to have to work for it. So I rushed him.”
Police believe after the shooting, Reinking went back to his Antioch apartment and put on pants.
Waffle House released a statement earlier Sunday, saying, “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.”
Late Sunday, Metro-Nashville Public Schools said all schools will remain open on lockdown procedure on Monday.