Naked gunman kills four in Nashville
Shooter fled on foot after being disarmed by restaurant customer
Four people have been killed and four more wounded after a semi-naked man attacked customers with an AR-15 rifle at a Waffle House restaurant in Nashville, Tennessee.
Witnesses say the shooting began at 3.25am local time when the suspect, identified as 29-year-old Travis Reinking, shot two people outside the restaurant, before opening fire again inside.
“He did not say anything. He pulled up, got out of his car and was all business," witness Chuck Cordero told The Tennessean.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The shooting was thwarted when a customer inside the restaurant, 29-year-old James Shaw Jr, managed to wrestle the rifle from the shooter’s grasp before throwing it over a counter top.
Shaw suffered only minor injuries, and has been hailed as a hero for his actions.
Police say the gunman then removed his jacket and fled the scene naked, and on foot. He may have gone to his home, put on a pair of pants and then “escaped into the woods”, says CNN.
It is believed he may still have had two weapons with him, and a manhunt is continuing in the area around the restaurant.
The Guardian reports that the suspect is known to authorities, and had been arrested for being “in a restricted area near the White House” in July 2017.
The FBI says his firearms authorisation had been revoked following that arrest, and his guns had been seized. They were given to his father on condition that he not allow his son to use them.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The history of Donald Trump's election conspiracy theories
The Explainer How the 2024 Republican nominee has consistently stoked baseless fears of a stolen election
By David Faris Published
-
Two ancient cities have been discovered along the Silk Road
Under the radar The discovery changed what was known about the old trade route
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
'People shouldn't have to share the road with impaired drivers'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published