The 29-year-old hero from Waffle House shooting: 'I saw the opportunity and I took it'
Jason Gonzales
USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee Published 8:39 a.m. CT April 22, 2018 | Updated 4:13 p.m. CT April 22, 2018

A 29-year-old man credited with saving numerous lives Sunday morning after he disarmed a man who opened fire on an Antioch Waffle House said he was just trying to stay alive.

James Shaw Jr., 29, said after feeling cornered he saw an opportunity to tackle the man shooting into an Antioch Waffle House. He said he doesn’t feel like a hero.

Police spokesman Don Aaron told reporters Sunday morning that the Waffle House hero rushed the suspected shooter, disarmed him and threw the assault rifle he was carrying over the counter.

“I don’t really know, when everyone said that (of being a hero), it feels selfish,” Shaw Jr. “I was just trying to get myself out. I saw the opportunity and pretty much took it.”

........................................................

Shaw Jr. said he was treated for a gunshot wound. He was taken to TriStar Southern Hills Medical Center, was treated for minor injuries and released.

After going home, Shaw Jr. changed clothes and attended church with his family. Mayor David Briley also attended church with Shaw Jr. at about 10:30 a.m.

Shaw Jr. can’t recall how many shots there were, just that a man was on the floor. Shaw Jr. said he jumped toward the bathroom and the suspect shot in that direction. He said he was grazed by a bullet.

"I remember I was like ‘Dang, I’m basically in a barrel,’ ” Shaw Jr. said. “There is no place for me to go.”

As the suspect came through the door, he needed to reload, Shaw Jr. said. That’s when he said he rushed him.

“When he came in, I distinctively remember thinking that he is going to have to work for this kill,” Shaw Jr. said. “I had a chance to stop him and thankfully I stopped him.”

......................................................

https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/cr...oter/540061002/