Black Excellence: We Remember The Lives And Bright Futures Of The Waffle House Shooting Victims.
Last weekend the lives of the families and friends of four people shot at a Waffle House changed forever. Travis Reinking walked into the restaurant clad with only a jacket and opened fire shooting patrons and workers. Two of the deceased were outside when they were murdered.
There’s still no motive as to why this monster decided to shoot up the place, but he has had run-ins with the law in the past. We aren’t gonna talk about that right now though. In this article, we chose to concentrate on the beautiful people who were all snuffed out in the blink of an eye all because of a nut job.
“The four victims of the shooting at a Waffle House in Tennessee have been identified. The victims were killed about 3:30 a.m. Sunday at the Antioch restaurant after a gunman armed with an AR-15 and wearing only a coat opened fire on patrons and employees. Two other people were wounded and remain hospitalized.
The Metro Nashville Police Department identified the victims as Taurean Sanderlin, 29; Joe Perez, 20; Akilah Dasilva, 23; and DeEbony Groves, 21. The surviving victims have been identified as Shanita Waggoner, 21, and Sharita Henderson, 24. They were both listed in stable condition on Monday.
Taureen, Joe, Akilah, and DeEbony weren’t your average everyday young people trying to make it
from day to day. They were treasures to this world and worked hard for everything they had. Here’s what we know about the four standout victims.
Taurean Sanderlin, 29
Taurean Sanderlin, 29, was a Nashville, Tennessee, native, and lived in Goodlettsville, according to his Facebook profile and police. He was a cook and was known as “T” by the regulars at the Antioch Waffle House. Sanderlin was outside of the restaurant on his break when the gunman got out a truck and began shooting. He and another man were shot and he died at the scene, according to police.
Sanderlin had worked for Waffle House for about five years, the restaurant chain’s CEO told The Tennessean. The Murfreesboro Pike location where the shooting occurred opened about five months ago, and Sanderlin moved to that location at that point.
“Thank you all for the overwhelming Love and Support over my late cousin Taurean Sanderlin the senselessness that continues to happen will not be overlooked and we will not allow the enemy to take victory,” his cousin, Tiffany Sanderlin, wrote on Facebook. “We celebrate the Life he lead and take refuge in the person he was. Again we are so appreciative and it will carry my family through this dark time.”
A GoFundMe campaign has been set up by James Shaw Jr. to raise money for the families of the victims. You can make a donation here.
Joe Perez, 20
Joe Perez, 20, was originally from Austin, Texas, and lived in Nashville, according to his Facebook profile.
He was a graduate of Jack C. Hays High School in Texas and was working as a subcontractor for Daryl Flood Relocation & Logistics. Perez was a restaurant patron who was outside of the building when he was shot and killed.
A GoFundMe campaign has been set up by James Shaw Jr. to raise money for the families of the victims. You can make a donation here.
Akilah DaSilva, 23
“His character spoke volumes. One of 6 loving siblings, Akilah was passionate about his music, family, and life. He was pursuing a career in musical engineering at MTSU. He had a smile that could light up a room and a laugh that would warm your heart. He embodied compassion and had a zeal for life. A loving son and selfless friend, he was a beacon of hope, love, and strength in his family,” Kareem DaSilva wrote on GoFundMe. “His family hopes that in the midst of this senseless act of terrorism and hate, his life will not be in vain. We hope that this tremendous loss will spark tangible action in true gun law reform so no other family would ever have to experience this sort of tragedy.”
According to his Facebook profile, DaSilva was originally from Brooklyn, New York, and lived in Nashville. A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help his family.”
Akilah was a very well known rapper around Nashville and was super talented. His family and friends said that he was the most tenacious artist when it came to his musical career. This is the reason why his dreams were finally being realized.
Check out one of his most popular musical visuals called “See The Throne.”
DeEbony Groves, 21
DeEbony Groves, 21, of Gallatin, was a standout basketball player at Gallatin High School and was in her senior year at Belmont University, according to The Tennessean.She was killed while eating inside the Waffle House restaurant Sunday morning, police said.
“She was a brilliant young lady, very, very intelligent and a very hard worker,” her high school basketball coach, Kim Kendrick, told The Tennessean. “She was a very likable young lady. She was one of three seniors on her team, and she was a great role model for the other players because of her hard work and dedication to her studies and to her school.”
In a statement, Belmont University said, “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.”
A GoFundMe campaign has been set up by James Shaw Jr. to raise money for the families of the victims. You can make a donation here.
For those who don’t know James Shaw Jr., allow us to to introduce him to you. This was the young man who actually forcibly took the assault rifle from the gunman.
via Heavy
During the shooting, Shaw said he saw his opportunity to take down the shooter after he felt cornered. Police spokesman Don Aaron confirmed Shaw Jr.’s actions, saying that he rushed at the shooter, disarmed him, and threw the assault rifle he was over a counter.
Sunday morning that the Waffle House hero rushed the suspected shooter, disarmed him and threw the assault rifle he was carrying over the counter.
“At that point, the gunman then fled.”
The Tennessean reports that Shaw said he was at a fraternity house party before heading to the Bell Road Waffle House at about 2:30 a.m. with some friends. They left soon after because it was too packed, he said.
The group pulled into the Waffle House at about 3:20 a.m, shortly before chaos broke out.
According to the Tennessean, Shaw said that after feeling cornered, he saw an opportunity to tackle the man shooting into the waffle house. He said he was just trying to stay alive and doesn’t feel like a hero.
“I don’t really know, when everyone said that (of being a hero), it feels selfish,” Shaw said, according to the Tennessean. “I was just trying to get myself out. I saw the opportunity and pretty much took it.””
Ladies and gentlemen, this is a true American hero. This man saved alot of people that morning, and our “President” has yet to say anything about Mr. Shaw, this rampage, nor the victims. It’s not right, but its okay. This is why we are lifting up these phenomenal people right here on Yall Know What?! The world and his daughter should be super proud of James Shaw.
Reinking has been captured (alive) less than a mile from the Antioch Waffle House. Hopefully the victims’ families will be able to seek all of the justice that they deserved.
Rest in peace Taurean, Joe, Akilah, and DeEbony.
