‘Waffle House shooting hero’ raises more than $130,000 for families of victims

A page set up to help James Shaw Jr has also raised more than $120,000

The ‘Waffle House hero’ who disarmed a shooter at the restaurant has raised over $130,000 for families of the victims.

James Shaw Jr, 29, created a crowdfunding page to assist with the families of the four people who died in the incident on Sunday after Travis Reinking allegedly opened fire at the Antioch, Tennessee, eatery. “Please take the time to donate as all of the proceeds will be given to the families. Thank you again for your generosity and blessings!,” Mr Shaw wrote on the page. His initial goal was $15,000 but he surpassed that on the first day. Right now, the total is $133,973 and climbing.

The money was meant to help the loved ones of the four people who died in the shooting: Taurean Sanderlin, a Waffle House employee; Joe Perez; DeEbony Groves, a college student and athlete; and Akilah DaSilva, another college student and rapper known by the stage name Natrix. Given how much he has raised, Mr Shaw told Fox News the money could also go towards the medical bills of those wounded in the shooting who are still in hospital.

The electrician and father of a four-year-old daughter said in an emotional press conference that he was not a hero, though his actions likely saved several people’s lives. “I want you all to know and I’ll say this again. I didn’t actually do it to save people, I did it just to save my life. And in me saving my life, I saved other lives, and I think that’s probably one of the greatest things you can do,” he said.

One commenter on the page summed it up as such: “Courage is demonstrated by the deed. Simply by marking your personal stand you demonstrated it. Few heroes in my estimation even have the time to reflect on the wider picture, they act on instinct, as you did … Your instincts were good, Sir, your instincts were very good indeed”.

Mr Shaw left the bathroom where he and other patrons had taken refuge when the shooting began just outside of the restaurant and as the gunman was reloading, Mr Shaw wrestled the weapon away from him and threw it over the restaurant countertop. The shooter then fled the scene. “When I saw my window of opportunity I just took it,” Mr Shaw told Fox News.

A bullet grazed Mr Shaw’s arm and he suffered a second-degree burn when he grabbed the barrel of the gun. A separate GoFundMe page has also been set up to help him as well and has raised over $126,000.

“Since that horrific shooting, he has raised tens of thousands of dollars for the victims and shown a level of humility that has inspired many of us,” the organiser had written. “But I’d be just as happy if James used some of this money to take his family on a nice vacation”. The money may also be used to help pay for his daughter’s education.

Mr Reinking had eluded police until the day after the shooting when he was found and arrested in a wooded area near his home. Police are still unclear about his motive. He faces four counts of homicide and is being held without bond until his next court appearance.