Chadwick Boseman gives 'Best Hero' MTV Movie Award to real-life hero

Nashville Tennessean | The Tennessean

Show Caption Hide Caption MTV Movie Awards: Tiffany Haddish does THAT again Tiffany Haddish, comedian and host of the MTV Movie and TV Awards, thinks the fourth time's a charm! For more memorable moments, go to www.mtv.com.

Chadwick Boseman won an MTV Movie and TV Award on Monday night, but he won't be taking home the trophy.

The "Black Panther" star gave his award to James Shaw Jr., the man hailed as a hero in a mass shooting at a Nashville, Tennessee-area Waffle House.

"Receiving an award for playing a superhero is amazing, but it's even greater to acknowledge the heroes that we have in real life," Boseman said. "So I just want to acknowledge somebody that's here today. James Shaw Jr., where are you? Stand. You didn't even know we were about to do this, did you?

“He fought off a gunman in Antioch, Tennessee, at a Waffle House. He saved lives,” he said of Shaw Jr., who joined Boseman on stage to accept the award. “This is going to live at your house.”

🍿🍿🍿 and more 🍿… THANK YOU #MTVAwards! #BlackPanther fans, you’re incredible. During the show, I was honored to meet @JamesShawJr9. He saved countless lives by tackling a gunman who opened fire on people in Antioch, Tennessee in April. He’s a true hero that walks among us. pic.twitter.com/bIF8vOk3v3 — Chadwick Boseman (@chadwickboseman) June 19, 2018

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The actor also thanked Shaw on Twitter, "During the show, I was honored to meet @JamesShawJr9. He saved countless lives by tackling a gunman who opened fire on people in Antioch, Tennessee in April. He’s a true hero that walks among us."

Shaw, 29, who was a customer at the South Nashville restaurant, is credited with saving numerous lives after he wrestled an AR-15 out of the hands of Travis Reinking, whom police say opened fire about 3:25 a.m. on April 22.

Thank you a million times over🙏🏿 — James Shaw Jr. (@JamesShawJr9) June 19, 2018

Four people were killed and numerous others were wounded in the attack at the Nashville Waffle House.

Shaw said he ran toward the bathroom when the gunfire rang out. Then, realizing he was trapped, Shaw rushed the shooter as he was reloading, grabbed the hot barrel of the AR-15, disarmed the shooter and threw the gun over the Waffle House counter.

Police said that, had it not been for Shaw’s actions, more casualties could have occurred.

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