On Sunday, four individuals were killed in a Nashville, Tennessee Waffle House as they patronized the fast food establishment.
Here are the names and stories of the #WaffleHouseShooting victims: https://t.co/yxzsbTLWMQ pic.twitter.com/6KRPnvccZc
— theGrio.com (@theGrio) April 23, 2018
The 29-year-old gunman used an AR-15 style assault weapon to carry out the murders. He had previous run-ins with the law. In July 2017, the still-at-large gunman was arrested for unlawful entry to a restricted area of the White House. A report documenting the incident stated the gunman said “Do what you need to do. Arrest me if you have to.”
A previous incident in June 2017 in his residence of Tremont, Illinois. He was reported to have exited his apartment in a pink dress with a rifle yelling, “Is this what you f—ing want?” before throwing his rifle in his trunk and leaving the premises.
Later on, Tremont Police responded to a call about a gunman in his 20’s in a pink housecoat swimming in a pool in his underwear and exposing his genitals.
Due to his arrest, the gunman’s arsenal of guns, a Kimber 9 mm handgun, a Bushmaster AR-15 style rifle, a CZ-USA .22-caliber rifle, a Remington 710 and random ammunition were taken from him. The weapons were later returned to the assailant’s father, Jeffrey Reinking.
Reinking returned the weapons to his son after BOTH occasions.
If this had been a gunman who was a person of color, would these chances to have access to guns have been afforded to them?
Probably not.
Now, some are calling on Tennessee lawmakers to tackle white supremacy – something they obviously haven’t.
Here are some reactions on Twitter:
Shame on you Tennessee state lawmakers. Your refusal to denounce white supremacy will forever be recorded in our nation’s history. https://t.co/sjN8iH7D2F
— Eugene Gu, MD (@eugenegu) April 23, 2018
Those poor young kids. Just one more perk of trump for prez. He is a hater and a racist. All his name calling a just one more sign that he is a bully. He is supposed to be a leader. Prayers to the friends and family. I give you my word that I will keep fighting for new gun laws
— Joelyene Browne (@JoelyeneB) April 23, 2018
Heartbreaking. My thoughts are with these families.
— GoBluWave (@barbn1943) April 23, 2018
Ah-ha! Hence the $2500 reward. SICKENING.
— #BACKUPYOUCREEP (@EmaCornaCopia) April 23, 2018
Horrendous and heartbreaking!
— Teresa Chapa (@chapachula) April 23, 2018
Thank you donny Are you proud of how you are tearing this country apart?
— Susan S (@SusanSommers72) April 23, 2018
Well, that explains why it wasn’t on Fox, and why Trump hasn’t commented to praise the hero.
— Purrsistant (@Purrsistant1) April 23, 2018
This is why there is BLACK LIVES MATTER
— NurseJan (@janiceagreer1) April 23, 2018
I had no idea the victims were Black. Skin color and/or culture didn’t enter my mind when I saw the headlines this morning; only the tragic circumstances. I myself am African -American. So…to just discover the identities of those killed…really hits close to home.?
— Andrew Starr (@Westies_Forever) April 23, 2018
We’ve had a problem in the US w/bigotry & hate 4 YEARS but that imbecile who sits in the Oval Office has made it okay 4 these crimes 2take place due 2his reprehensible prejudiced beliefs! Innocent lives R lost due 2hate & violence while he goes golfing totally immune 2it all!
— Pam Lamb (@PamLamb20) April 23, 2018
Does anyone believe that if this guy was black, his guns would have been turned over to his family?
— Donnell Howard (@dhs818) April 23, 2018
What report/article are you citing?
After running through about ten different articles on this tragedy, not a single one makes any reference to white supremacy.
Are you just adding that “fact” out of your own head?— Geoffrey Gould (@realbadger) April 23, 2018
Rest easy #TaureanSanderlin #JoePerez #AkilahDasilva #DeEbonyGroves ?
— Natural Chica (@Breezy38474) April 23, 2018
— EffiVera (@VeraEffi) April 23, 2018
— Miriam Ragab, DO (@WincDoc) April 23, 2018
Not so United States Of America now…divided across race lines, instigated by a golf loving orange ‘cat’ grabber
— Weihan Liang (@LordRexWL) April 23, 2018
Dude, sorry but Tennessee lawmakers can only see their wallets
— استغفر الله (@couldntbother1) April 23, 2018
It’s outrageous. Many Republicans tolerate hate and indecency towards others unless it affects them personally. Since most are lily white – here we are.
— Annie ? (@BluesPetal) April 23, 2018
This was a terrorist hate crime, no doubt in my mind. Tennessee Waffle House. #UniteBlue #TheResistance #BlacklivesMatterToo
— D. lowe (@duracelqc) April 23, 2018
The intent of hate crimes is to terrorize a population into submission. Hate crimes = terrorism.
— PTBoat (@ptboat67) April 23, 2018
Racism = fake fear, and it kills. #FakeFearKills pic.twitter.com/C8OMmkXRco
— ???? ????? ୧ʕ•̀ᴥ•́ʔ୨ (@thorbites) April 23, 2018
I just saw this! Another racist piece of trash white guy with a AR15 running around. What sort of country do we live in? When we continue to allow this to happen?
— Teri McClain (@terileemcclain) April 23, 2018