Culture

20-Year-Old Joe Perez Is One of the Victims of Waffle House Shooting

Lead Photo: Law enforcement stand outside a Waffle House where four people were killed and two were wounded after a gunman opened fire with an assault weapon on April 22, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo by Jason Davis/Getty Images
Law enforcement stand outside a Waffle House where four people were killed and two were wounded after a gunman opened fire with an assault weapon on April 22, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo by Jason Davis/Getty Images
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On Sunday, 29-year-old Travis J. Reinking opened fire at a Waffle House in Nashville, Tennessee. As police continue searching for Reinking, 29-year-old James Shaw Jr. is being touted as a hero. The customer disarmed Reinking, who fled after the attack. Fear has struck the city, according to The New York Times. But as dread sinks in, people are also remembering the victims. Four people died, including Joe Perez, a 20-year-old originally from Texas.

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Perez was killed as he stood outside of Waffle House. His mother, Trisha Perez, posted a heartbreaking message on Facebook, “Please say a prayer for my family for today is the hardest day of my life. My husband and sons are broken right now with this loss. Our lives are shattered.”

All of the victims were in their 20s, including Taurean C. Sanderlin, who worked at the restaurant, 23-year-old Akilah DaSilva, and 21-year-old DeEbony Groves.