The Waffle House Shooting Hero Who Disarmed Gunman Has Already Raised Over $130K for Victims’ Families
James Shaw Jr. is an inspiration.
![james-shaw-jr-nashville-getty James Shaw Jr.](https://www.maxim.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/james-shaw-jr-nashville-getty.jpg)
When 29-year-old James Shaw Jr. intercepted a shooter charging into a Waffle House in Antioch, Tennessee, he was just trying to survive. In a New York Time interview, Shaw said seeing the killer attempt to reload was enough time to think “Do it now. Go now.”
And he did just that, disarming Reinking and saving many more lives. Now Shaw is doing what he can to help heal others heal.
Immediately after the tragedy occurred, Shaw was hailed as a hero—a reputation that’s only been reinforced by his calm and humility in press conferences and interviews.
If acts of heroism mean something to you, it’s hard to read about Shaw without feeling some serious emotions. This won’t help—Fox News reports Shaw set up a GoFundMe page intended to help the surviving victims. Like the man himself, the goal—$15,000—and his explanatory message were modest:
My name is James Shaw Jr. I am creating this page to help the families of the victims from the Shooting that took place at Waffle House in Antioch, TN. Please take the time to donate as all of the proceeds will be given to the families. Thank you again for your generosity and blessings!
As of today, Shaw has raised $134,356.
"I actually tried to count the hairs on her eyelashes just because I was just like, I almost didn't see you anymore": James Shaw Jr. held his 4-year-old daughter for the first time since he rushed the Waffle House shooter and ripped away his gun https://t.co/Lhu984rcXQ pic.twitter.com/z8f2OkbagC
— CNN (@CNN) April 25, 2018
Shaw spoke at a memorial church service following the murders. It was the first time he’d seen his daughter since he’d saved those lives, and he told the congregation he’d “actually tried to count the hairs on her eyelashes” because he realized how close he came to never seeing her again.
He’s a great dad, too? And he also visited and comforted survivors in the hospital the day after the shooting? Seriously, check out that GoFundMe now and see if you can help.
We need to go do something about our leaky eyes.