He said he knew there would not be another chance.
A patron at a Tennessee Waffle House where a gunman opened fire, killing four people, is drawing praise for his actions during the terrifying incident.
The shooter, who was naked, opened fire at around 3:25 a.m. Sunday inside the Antioch restaurant, police said.
Witnesses said he shot a couple of times through the window of the establishment before going inside and continuing to fire.
James Shaw Jr. said he didn’t have time to think when he saw an opportunity to stop the man.
"His gun either got jammed or he was trying to reload, not exactly sure," Shaw told WTVF. "But I saw my opportunity in my window, so I took it and I ran through the door as fast as I can and just kind of jammed him up with the gun with it pointed down and then we started wrestling for it, scuffling and fighting for it."
Shaw said he was able to get the gun and toss it out of reach and the gunman eventually fled on his own.
“If I let him load that weapon… it wasn't going to be another chance,” Shaw said. “There was nowhere to go."
Shaw suffered burns as he grabbed the gun and is recovering. His hand was bandaged as he gave the interview.
"He is the hero here, and no doubt he saved many lives by wrestling the gun away and then tossing it over the counter, and prompting the man to leave," Metro Nashville police spokesman Don Aaron said.
Police are still searching for 29-year-old Travis Reinking, of Morton, Ill., after the gunman arrived in a vehicle registered to Reinking.
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