Tennessee hero James Shaw Jr. to be honored by Alabama church, community
NASHVILLE, Tenn.--James Shaw Jr. will be honored at an Alabama church on Saturday for his heroism during the mass shooting at an Antioch Waffle House.
Oakwood University Church in Huntsville, Alabama will honor Shaw Jr. on Saturday during an 11:00 a.m. service. Shaw's family has ties to the church and the Oakwood community.
The event will cap off a whirlwind week for Shaw Jr., who has been thrust into the national spotlight after wrestling an AR-15 away from Travis Reinking. Shaw Jr. then threw the rifle over the counter, causing Reinking to flee the scene.
Metro Nashville Police say Shaw undoubtedly saved lives through his heroism. Four people died in the attack and three -including Shaw Jr.- were injured. Investigators found two magazine cartridges in a jacket shed by Reinking as he fled.
A resolution honoring Shaw Jr. as a state hero was issued by both houses of the Tennessee legislature on Tuesday.
Shaw says he is using the platform he's been given to raise awareness. "It's definitely a life-changing moment, and I'm going to try to use this moment that I'm in as a platform to maybe bring awareness to just shootings and violence, because it's a total difference when you're on the other side when you're actually in it,” Shaw said.
