Manhunt Continues for Waffle House Shooter

UPDATE: Waffle House Suspected Shooter Arrested

Police continue to search for a 29-year-old suspect that killed four people and injured three more at a Waffle House near Nashville.

  • By Sydny Shepard
  • Apr 23, 2018

[UPDATE: April 23, 2018 1:30 p.m.]

Authorities say they have captured a suspected gunman wanted for killing four people at a Waffle House in Middle Tennessee. 

The Metro Nashville Police tweeted around 2:05 p.m. local time that the murder suspect was in custody. 

This is a breaking story. Please follow @SecurToday for timely updates.

Original story posted below.

Police continue to search for a 29-year-old man suspected of killing four people and injuring another four in a Waffle House outside of Nashville on Sunday morning.

The Metro Nashville Police Department said early Monday morning that there had been no "credible sightings" of the suspected gunman and after an overnight search by local, state and federal law enforcement officers.

Metro Nashville Police have also ensured that all schools in the area have been cleared of potential threats and will remain on "lockout" mode as the search continues. "Guests and visitors will not be allowed inside school buildings," school officials said.

The shooting happened at an Antioch, Tenn. Waffle House just before 3:30 a.m. on Sunday. Metro Nashville Police say the gunman was sitting in his truck for a few minutes, looking around, before he got out, clothed in only a green jacket, and immediately began shooting at customers in the parking lot.

The gunman, according to police, continued shooting as he walked inside, shattering the windows of the establishment. At one point, he stopped to reload his weapon. That's when police say a customer, 29-year-old James Shaw, lunged at the gunman and wrestled away the gun, throwing it over the counter. Shaw told local news stations that he moved the gunman out of the restaurant where he, "just walked away" from the scene.

Three people died at the scene an another died at the hospital as a result of the shooting at the Waffle House. Two people remain in critical condition at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. TriStar Southern Hills Medical Center treated and released two people with minor injuries from the shooting, a spokesperson said.

Months before the gunman became the target of a manhunt, he was arrested for trying to breach a barrier near the White House. Authorities would later seize his guns and revoke his license to carry a gun in the state of Illinois.

Under Illinois law, certain confiscated guns can be released to a family member, but the gunman could not lawfully possess the weapons in that state. Police say the guns were given to the gunman's father who then returned them to the suspected shooter. It is unclear if the weapons were lawfully possessed in the state of Tennessee.

Among the four weapons seized from the gunman was the AR-15 semiautomatic rifle that police say he used in the Waffle House on Sunday. One of the weapons - a pistol - is missing from the gunman's apartment.

Police still have no significant leads on the location of the shooter. Investigators believe the gunman went to his apartment, located less than a mile from the Waffle House and put on a pair of pants before fleeing again. He was last seen in a wooded area near the apartment complex wearing only black pants. 

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

  • Survey: 48 Percent of Worshippers Feel Less Safe Attending In-Person Services

    Almost half (48%) of those who attend religious services say they feel less safe attending in-person due to rising acts of violence at places of worship. In fact, 39% report these safety concerns have led them to change how often they attend in-person services, according to new research from Verkada conducted online by The Harris Poll among 1,123 U.S. adults who attend a religious service or event at least once a month. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation.

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.