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Antioch Waffle House shooting: What we know about search for gunman in Tennessee killings

Adam Tamburin
The Tennessean

Four people are dead and at least four others wounded Sunday after a shooting at an Antioch Waffle House. The shooter remains at large and a manhunt is underway.

Here's a rundown of what we know so far.

Waffle House shooting suspect: Travis Reinking

Metro police have identified Travis Reinking, 29, as the suspect in the case, and a massive manhunt is underway to find him.

► ANTIOCH SHOOTING:Who is the man police are searching for in connection to the Antioch Waffle House shooting?

Police announced murder warrants were being drafted against Reinking on Sunday morning, hours after they say he arrived at the Waffle House on 3571 Murfreesboro Pike and opened fire, using an assault rifle.

Travis Reinking, 29, of Morton, Illinois, was being sought as a person of interest in a shooting at an Antioch, Tennessee Waffle House that left 4 dead.

At the time of the shooting, the gunman was wearing only a green coat. He dropped the coat near the scene and fled on foot, naked. Police said Reinking was later spotted in the area wearing black pants.

Police spokesman Don Aaron said Reinking had "previous interactions" with federal, state and local law enforcement, although he hadn't interacted with Metro police. Aaron also said Reinking had a known interest in guns.

In July 2017, the U.S. Secret Service arrested Reinking for being in a "restricted area" near the White House, according to the Secret Service.

"He wanted to set up a meeting with the president," said Secret Service representative Todd Hudson. 

After the arrest, his Illinois firearms authorization was revoked and local Illinois police seized four weapons. 

How many people were killed and injured in Antioch Waffle House

Police say Reinking shot and killed two people outside the Waffle House at around 3:25 a.m. He continued to shoot inside — a third person died inside the restaurant and another person died after being taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Aaron said others were taken to local hospitals for treatment.

Two of those people were still being treated at Vanderbilt Sunday evening, one in critical condition and one listed as stable. Two people with minor injuries were treated and released from Southern Hills Medical Center, according to a spokeswoman.

What do we know about the victims

Those killed in the attack Sunday include a restaurant employee and three restaurant patrons, according to a police news release.  

The names of the victims are: 

  • Taurean C. Sanderlin, 29, Goodlettsville. Sanderlin was an employee of the Waffle House. he was fatally wounded standing outside the restaurant.
  • Joe R. Perez, 20, of Nashville. Perez, a patron, was fatally wounded standing outside the restaurant. 
  • Akilah Dasilva, 23, of Antioch. Dasilva was wounded at the restaurant and died at Vanderbilt University Medial Center. 
  • DeEbony Groves, 21 of Gallatin.

What we know on 29-year-old hero in Waffle House shooting

Police and witnesses have credited James Shaw Jr., 29, with stopping the Waffle House shooting before more people were hurt.

ANTIOCH SHOOTING:The 29-year-old hero from Waffle House shooting: 'I saw the opportunity and I took it'

When the gunman stopped, perhaps to reload, Shaw wrestled the gun away from him and threw it behind the counter.

Police and witnesses described Shaw as a life-saving hero.

The second mass shooting for Antioch in less than a year

Another mass shooting took place in September at a church less than two miles away from the Antioch Waffle House.

One person was killed and seven others were injured in that shooting at Burnette Chapel Church of Christ.

ANTIOCH SHOOTING:Minister at Burnette Chapel, site of September shooting, reacts to Waffle House shooting: 'This is devastating news'

Why the Waffle House shooting stories are free

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