Shaw, 29, a graduate of Tennessee State University, said he was at a fraternity house party on Saturday night and decided to go to a Waffle House with some friends, the newspaper reported.
The restaurant on Bell Road in Antioch was crowded when Shaw and his friends arrived at 2:30 a.m., so they decided to go to the one on Murfreesboro Pike, which was two miles away, the Tennessean reported.
They arrived at the second Waffle House at 3:20 a.m., shortly before the shooting began.
OMG! Tennessee State University alumnus James Shaw Jr—my former student! Just when I thought I couldn’t love you more. #BigBlue https://t.co/FXlP919DPU
— C.A. deGregory, PhD (@HBCUstorian) April 22, 2018
According to his Facebook page, Shaw is a wire technician for AT&T. At a news conference Sunday afternoon, he said that he was born and raised in Nashville and has a 4-year-old daughter.
He's a vegan and studied online to be an electrician technician at Brightwood College. He is a graduate of Tennessee State University and attended Hunters Lane Comp High School In Nashville.
“I think I’m a pretty cool guy,” he told reporters.
Shaw began receiving messages on social media, lauding him for his quick action.
“You are my hero!” Jackie Thames posted on Facebook. “You are so brave and your daughter has just another reason to be proud! Thank you for saving lives sir! The world is a better place with you in it ♡”
James Shaw Jr. was identified as the hero who helped stop the Waffle House shooter this morning. He says he doesn’t feel like a hero, which is exactly what you’d expect a real hero to say. https://t.co/0N08omw80u
— Jon Henshaw (@henshaw) April 22, 2018
“Thank you for your act of bravery,” Kelly Tate posted. “You are an angel to those whose lives you saved. God bless you!”
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