Waffle House shooting: Hero's new foundation seeks to address gun violence through mental health

Joel Ebert | The Tennessean

Show Caption Hide Caption Come Together Day at Tennessee State University Come Together Day at Tennessee State University

For James Shaw Jr. and Brennan "BJ" McMurry, Sunday offered the two Waffle House shooting heroes an opportunity to not only bring the community together but a chance to eat food from a restaurant chain to which they have yet to return.

The two men gobbled up a bowl of hash browns provided by Waffle House as they met with friends, loved ones and community leaders, including Nashville Mayor David Briley, at the first "Come Together Day" at Tennessee State University.

The event also served to launch the James Shaw Jr. Foundation, which will seek to address mental and social health issues, Shaw said.

"The goal of the event is to bring Nashville as a community together and come up with a solution for the recent rise in gun violence and violence," said Shaw, who launched the charitable foundation months after wrestling an assault-style rifle away from a shooter at a Waffle House in Antioch.

Four people were killed in the shooting. The shooting suspect, Travis Reinking, was deemed unfit to stand trial earlier this week.

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As children jumped in inflatable bouncy houses set up on TSU's football field while adults chatted among themselves and with local vendors, Shaw said in order to solve gun violence, mental health and "the gun issue" must be addressed.

McMurry said Sunday's event was important because of how much the city means to them.

"If you look at how Nashville has grown," he said, "there are separations and segregations amongst all classes."

McMurry said he and Shaw were merely trying to "change the picture."

"At the end of the day, we're all made from the same flesh and bones," he said.

The James Shaw Jr. Foundation

Shaw said said he didn't view himself as a victim and wanted to be a voice for others.

"There are four victims that will never get their life back. Their legacy has stopped," he said. "I'm just trying to do my part, the best I can."

Shaw's mother, Karen, said events like Sunday's can help start the conversations that lead to change.

"This is just the beginning of a very huge problem for our community and the world," she said.

Briley praised Shaw for his work with the foundation and his actions during the shooting.

"It's abstract to all of us. James was there when it happened and I think it really showed him how important it is to try and make a change," Briley said. "I'm glad he's stepping up and leading our community."

Survivors struggle after Waffle House shooting

But even heroes like Shaw and McMurry have their own struggles. The two men told the USA TODAY NETWORK - Tennessee they have yet to return to any Waffle House locations, despite frequently driving by them.

Shaw said when he passes a Waffle House these days, it "heighten my senses."

"I don't put myself in that predicament and I don't go in there," he said.

McMurry said he hasn't felt mentally comfortable enough to return to a Waffle House yet.

"It's no discredit to them. Believe me, I love the All-Star Special," he said, adding the "aura" of how he views the franchise has changed as a result of the shooting.

Shaw said he plans to go back to a Waffle House some day. He specifically wants to go back to the one where what he calls "the situation" occurred.

"I'm going to take it day by day and when I finally get the courage enough to go in there, I'll do it," he said.

On Sunday, Shaw was satisfied eating a bowl of hash browns from a Waffle House tent as he looked to spark an ongoing conversation about gun violence in Nashville.

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Reach Joel Ebert at jebert@tennessean.com or 615-772-1681 and on Twitter @joelebert29.