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Waffle House shooting 3 years later: Timeline of Travis Reinking case

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Posted at 2:02 PM, Apr 22, 2021
and last updated 2021-04-22 15:02:32-04

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — It's been three years since a gunman shot and killed four people at an Antioch Waffle House, and the suspect, Travis Reinking, appears to be no closer to standing trial.

Four people – DeEbony Groves, Akilah Dasilva, Joe Perez, and Taurean Sanderlin – were killed in the shooting.

TIMELINE OF WAFFLE HOUSE SHOOTING CASE


April 22, 2018: Four people are killed and four others wounded when a gunman opens fire at an Antioch Waffle House around 3:30 a.m.

Metro Nashville Police Department officials name 29-year-old Travis Reinking, from Illinois, as a person of interest in the shooting, saying the vehicle the gunman used was registered to him.


April 23, 2018: Reinking is taken into custody

After a tense, 34-hour manhunt, Reinking is arrested in a wooded area near Old Hickory Boulevard and Hobson Pike.

He’s been in custody ever since and is now at the new Davidson County jail.

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August 2018: Reinking deemed not competent to stand trial

A mental evaluation finds that Reinking is not competent to stand trial. Reinking, diagnosed with schizophrenia, is checked into the Middle Tennessee Mental Health Institute for evaluation.

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(File photo) Travis Reinking appears in court.

A judge later deems him fit for trial and he's indicted on 17 counts, including murder.


February 2019: Reinking pleads not guilty

Reinking pleads not guilty to charges related to the shooting. Reinking does not appear in court; his lawyer enters the plea on his behalf.


January 2020: Prosecutors announce they won't seek death penalty


2021: Trial date has yet to be set

The District Attorney’s Office says Reinking's defense team is still trying to figure out a suitable date for the trial.


REMEMBERING THE VICTIMS:

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DeEbony Groves was from Gallatin and a senior at Belmont, majoring in social work. She was shot and killed inside the restaurant. She was 21.

Akilah Dasilva was inside with his girlfriend and brother when he was shot. He was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he died. Friends called him a “passionate” musician who was pursuing a career in musical engineering at MTSU.

Joe Perez, the youngest victim, moved to Nashville from Texas a few months prior to the shooting and was also shot outside the restaurant. He was 20-years-old.

Taurean Sanderlin age 29, was a Waffle House employee from Goodlettsville. He was shot and killed as he stood outside.