According to James Shaw Jr he is not a hero, but in the eyes of millions he is. He’s the guy who took away the automatic rifle of the Waffle House shooter in Antioch, TN who killed four people and would have killed more if not for Shaw’s actions.
On Tuesday the mayor of Nashville held a ceremony for Shaw at the Tennessee state capitol grounds. He read the following resolution, confirming Shaw’s status as a hero:
“If a hero is ‘a person noted for courageous acts or nobility of character,’ then James Shaw Jr. is a hero twice over, for he has demonstrated both his courage and character in a manner few could ever attempt to emulate.”
Afterwards Shaw said something truly amazing because it is so humble yet also honest. Not only did he say that he does not consider himself a hero, but he also said he wasn’t trying to save the lives of others—he was trying to save his own. Who admits something like that?Â
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Shaw called what happened “a life-changing moment,†and said, “I’m going to try to use this moment as a platform to bring awareness to shootings and just violence.â€
Shaw sustained a gunshot wound and burns when he grabbed the assault-style rifle away from a gunman who opened fire at the restaurant last week. But in true humble fashion he was concerned about the families of the victims, so he set up a GoFundMe page. His initial goal was to raise $15,000 for them.
On the page he wrote: “My name is James Shaw Jr. I am creating this page to help the families of the victims from the Shooting that took place at Waffle House in Antioch, TN. Please take the time to donate as all of the proceeds will be given to the families. Thank you again for your generosity and blessings!â€
As of this writing the total raised by Shaw is about $190,000 and is still climbing.
Another GoFundMe page was established for Shaw and his daughter by reporter Yashar Ali.
“James Shaw Jr. put his life on the line when he took on the gunman who killed four people at a Nashville area Waffle House. Since that horrific shooting, he has raised tens of thousands of dollars for the victims and shown a level of humility that has inspired many of us,†Ali wrote.
This GoFundMe page has also raised nearly $200,000.
This outpouring of support for Shaw and the families of the victims shows how many people care about gun violence, and it also shows how many people admire James Shaw for truly being an American hero.
I am a lifelong Democrat with a passion for social justice and progressive issues. I have degrees in writing, economics and law from the University of Iowa.
