After raising more than $150,000 for the victims of the tragic mass shooting at a Waffle House in Antioch, Tennessee, the man who also single-handedly disarmed the shooter is being honored by one of country’s favorite singers.
The Hero
James Shaw Jr., known as the Waffle House Shooting Hero, not only took the gun from Travis Reinking after he shot and killed four people in a Nashville-area Waffle House restaurant – but he also started a fundraising campaign that brought in ten times its original goal for the families of the victims.
@BrantleyGilbert meets Waffle House heroes James Shaw Jr & Brennan McMurry. Announcement coming soon, stay tuned to @WKRN for more pic.twitter.com/Zc3POYCf7V
— Stephanie Langston (@stephnthecity) April 25, 2018
Now, country music superstar Brantley Gilbert is stepping up to the plate and honoring Shaw while simultaneously raising more money for those affected by the tragedy.
How Brantley Is Honoring Him
In an impromptu news conference on April 25th, 2018, Gilbert announced he had partnered with the I Believe In Nashville organization and started a campaign to honor heroes.
Have you seen this? The new t-shirt from https://t.co/QSQ7vNxZ3g honors the bravery of Waffle House hero James Shaw Jr. – and all proceeds go to support those affected by the tragic shooting. #AntiochStrong #ibelieveinheroism pic.twitter.com/mk1MoxhlmK
— Talk of the Town (@NC5_talktown) April 26, 2018
Titled “I Believe In Heroism,” the campaign serves to give back “to those who never asked for anything.” The first initiative is focused on Shaw and the Waffle House tragedy, with all proceeds going to benefit the victims and Shaw.
.@BrantleyGilbert has created a t-shirt that will help raise funds for the Waffle House hero and the families of the victims. The shirts are being sold online now and at his May 4th show in Nashville.
https://t.co/Mo4rauOxdW pic.twitter.com/Ze09xzd5ml— Big Machine Label Group (@BigMachine) April 26, 2018
Both Gilbert and rock band Dashboard Confessional have signed on to sell brand new t-shirts that depict a photo of Shaw’s bandaged hand with the words “I Believe In Heroism” across the front. These will be on sale at several shows for each band.
How You Can Help
https://www.facebook.com/IBelieveInNashville/photos/a.332519446828260.76236.331564736923731/1754761171270740/?type=3&theater
What an amazing way for the community to come together in a time of need – and an incredible way to honor James Shaw Jr. for his act of heroism.
To donate to the James Shaw Jr., visit his GoFundMe page.
Watch the Associated Press’ coverage of the new fundraiser below.