He Wrestled the Rifle Away — Then Raised $240,000 for the Victims

James Shaw Jr. had gone out for a late-night meal with a friend. A few hours later, he would be credited with saving lives, and before the day was over, he would be raising money for families he had never met.

It was April 22, 2018, shortly after 3 a.m., in Antioch, Tennessee. James and his friend had stopped at a Waffle House after finding another restaurant too crowded.

They had barely settled in when gunfire erupted outside. People scrambled for cover as a gunman entered the restaurant carrying a rifle. James moved toward the bathroom area, hoping to escape the shooting, but found himself trapped against a brick wall. There was nowhere else to go.

The Moment He Saw His Chance

James was 29 years old and the father of a young daughter. As he crouched near the bathroom, he kept watching the gunman and trying to figure out how to survive.

A bullet grazed his right elbow. He could hear the shooting continuing, but he couldn’t get any farther away.

Then the gunman lowered his rifle. The firing had stopped, and James thought the man might be reloading or having trouble with the weapon.

He decided to move. James burst through the bathroom door, slamming it into the attacker. He grabbed the rifle’s barrel and struggled to pull it free.

The metal was scorching hot from repeated firing, badly burning his hand as he fought for control. Despite the pain, James managed to wrestle the rifle away and throw it over the counter. He then forced the attacker toward the restaurant’s exit. The gunman fled.

Police and emergency workers arrived, and James was taken for medical treatment. Four people had lost their lives: Taurean Sanderlin, Joe Perez Jr., Akilah Dasilva, and DeEbony Groves. Several others were injured.

Authorities credited James with stopping the attack before anyone else could be shot. Reporters quickly began calling him a hero, but James explained that he had acted because he wanted to survive. Even as the country learned his name, his thoughts were turning toward the people who had lost far more than he had.

He Started With a $15,000 Goal

Later that same day, James created a GoFundMe campaign for the victims and their families. He set the fundraising goal at $15,000.

James had just been through a terrifying ordeal himself. His hand was burned, his arm had been injured, and reporters were trying to interview him. Still, he wanted to make sure the families had help paying the unexpected expenses ahead of them.

He posted a short message explaining that the money would go to those affected by the shooting. Donations started arriving almost immediately.

By April 24, the campaign had raised approximately $85,000. Two days later, it had passed $150,000.

People from across the United States were contributing. Some donated large amounts, while others gave whatever they could afford.

By the time the fundraiser closed, 6,500 donors had contributed $241,731. James had raised more than sixteen times his original goal, and he made sure the money reached the people he had promised to help.

The Families Finally Met Him

In May 2018, Tennessee State University hosted a private gathering for the shooting victims, survivors, and their families. James was a graduate of the university, and school officials helped organize the meeting.

Representatives from eight affected families attended. Some had lost loved ones, while others were recovering from injuries. James presented the families with more than $240,000 raised through his campaign, with help arranging how the donations would be distributed. The gathering was emotional.

One mother, Shaundelle Brooks, had lost her son Akilah Dasilva in the shooting. Her other son, Abede, had survived.

She approached James and thanked him, explaining that without his actions, she would have lost both sons. Abede also spoke about what James had done for his family. He was alive, standing beside his mother, because James had stopped the attacker.

Afterward, the families gathered outside at the university’s amphitheatre. They held hands, prayed together, and released balloons in memory of those who had died.

Four black balloons represented the four lives lost that morning.

People Wanted to Thank Him, Too

While James was collecting donations for the families, someone else decided that he deserved some help of his own. Journalist Yashar Ali created a separate GoFundMe campaign for James and his young daughter. The campaign eventually raised $225,406 from more than 7,000 donors.

James hadn’t asked for the money. People simply wanted to thank him for putting himself in danger to protect strangers.

Recognition continued arriving. Tennessee State University established a scholarship in his name, state lawmakers honoured him, and community organizations invited him to speak about his experience. Then came an unexpected moment at the MTV Movie & TV Awards in June.

Actor Chadwick Boseman had just won the award for Best Superhero for his performance in Black Panther. Instead of simply accepting the trophy and returning to his seat, Boseman invited James onto the stage.

He introduced James to the audience, explained how he had stopped the Waffle House shooting, and handed him the award. Boseman told him the trophy belonged in his home.

The audience erupted in applause.

He Wasn’t Finished Helping

By August 2018, James was looking for ways to turn the attention he’d received into something that could help people long after the headlines faded. He launched the James Shaw Jr. Foundation, an organization focused on supporting people affected by violence and helping communities become safer.

The foundation held its first major event at Tennessee State University on August 26. Called Come Together Day, the gathering included activities for children, community organizations, local supporters, and a celebrity basketball game.

Nashville’s mayor attended, along with university officials and community leaders. James even joined the basketball activities himself. He wanted the foundation to connect people with resources, support families who had experienced violence, and encourage communities to look after one another.

When he spoke at the event, he explained the idea behind his new organization in a few simple words.

“It’s about accountability and caring for one another,” James said.