Early Sunday morning around 3:25 a.m. a mostly naked man wearing only a green jacket walked into a Nashville, Tennessee, Waffle House and opened fire with a rifle.
Nashville police said a total of six people were shot and two others injured. Four of those people who were shot have died. The two other gunshot victims were receiving treatment at Vanderbilt Hospital.
The suspected shooter, who police have identified as 29-year-old Travis Reinking, fled the scene.
Waffle House Update: Murder warrants are now being drafted against Travis Reinking.
— Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) April 22, 2018
Waffle House: 6 persons shot, 4 fatally (3 died at the scene, 1 at the hospital). The 2 others are being treated at Vanderbilt. Search continuing for Travis Reinking. pic.twitter.com/ioR7cVq899
— Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) April 22, 2018
The suspect was then seen walking along Murfreesboro Pike, completely nude, after ditching his jacket, and the search for the suspect is still ongoing.
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
Metro Nashville police tracked the shooter’s car and warned people that the shooter was last seen walking along Murfreesboro Pike, nude.
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
BREAKING: 3 persons fatally shot & 4 others wounded at the Waffle House, 3571 Murfreesboro Pike. Gunman opened fire @ 3:25 a.m. A patron wrestled away the gunman’s rifle. He was nude & fled on foot. He is a white man with short hair. pic.twitter.com/d1qxRxsGNx
— Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) April 22, 2018
Someone visiting the Waffle House wrestled the rifle away from the shooter after he opened fire. Metro Nashville police released a photo of the gun, which appears to be an AR-15.
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
Metro Nashvillve police described the shooter as a white man with short hair.
Nashville, TN map (Google Maps)
Waffle House released a statement on Twitter: “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.”
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.
— Waffle House News (@WaffleHouseNews) April 22, 2018
Waffle House Public Relations Director Pat Warner said that they are sending their corporate team from Atlanta to Nashville, and that their thoughts are with the affected.
