Naked Gunman Kills 4 at Tennessee Waffle House, Suspect Still at Large

Metro Nashville Police Department
Metro Nashville Police Department

He was seen near an apartment complex after the shooting.

A naked gunman killed four people and wounded four others at a Tennessee Waffle House Sunday before running away, police say.

Police said the gunman is still at large.

"Keep your doors locked, keep your eyes open. If you see this individual -- if you see a nude guy walking around this morning -- call the police department immediately," Metro Nashville police spokesman Don Aaron said.

Police have named 29-year-old Travis Reinking, of Morton, Ill., as a person of interest after the gunman reportedly arrived in a vehicle registered to Reinking.

The shooter, who was naked except for a green jacket, opened fire at around 3:25 a.m. in the restaurant, police said. Witnesses said he shot a couple of times through the window of the establishment before going inside and continuing to fire.

A patron at the Waffle House wrestled the man's gun away before the assailant fled on foot, Nashville police said in a tweet.

"He is the hero here, and no doubt he saved many lives by wrestling the gun away and then tossing it over the counter, and prompting the man to leave," Aaron said.

Reinking was last seen around a nearby apartment complex, and was wearing black pants with no shirt, police said.

WTVF reported that the gun was an AR-15 assault rifle.

"This is a very sad day for the Waffle House family, and we ask for everyone to keep the victims and their families in their thoughts and prayers," Waffle House public relations director, Pat Warner, told the New York Daily News.

RELATED STORIES