The mother of one of four victims in the April shooting at an Antioch Waffle House has sued the suspected shooter and his father, seeking $100 million in damages.
In the wrongful-death suit, filed Wednesday in Davidson County Circuit Court, Shaundelle Brooks argues that shooting suspect Travis Reinking’s father, Jeffrey Reinking, was negligent in returning weapons to his son after they had been confiscated by law enforcement. According to the suit, one of the weapons was ultimately used in the Waffle House shooting that left Brooks’ son, Akilah DaSilva, dead.
“By returning and providing Travis Reinking access to the Bushmaster XM-15 rifle despite actual knowledge that Travis Reinking’s right to carry firearms had been revoked, Defendant Jeffrey Reinking acted unreasonably and failed to use ordinary or reasonable care under the circumstances,” the suit alleges. “But for Jeffrey Reinking’s breach of his duty of care, Akilah DaSilva would be alive today.”
Brooks is represented by Nashville attorneys Daniel Horwitz and Brian Manookian.
"The purpose of this lawsuit is to honor my son's beloved memory, hold those responsible for his death fully accountable and help ensure that nobody else's family ever has to experience the sorrow and horror that we have," Brooks tells the Scene through her attorneys.
Horwitz declined to comment on Reinking’s criminal proceedings. The accused shooter is scheduled to appear on Aug. 24 before Davidson County General Sessions Judge Melissa Blackburn on homicide charges.
“As to his father, however, let this lawsuit serve as a stark warning," Horwitz tells the Scene. "If you entrust someone that you know to be both dangerous and mentally unstable with one of the most efficient purveyors of death in modern society, you will be held personally accountable for the consequences."
The Reinkings were sued in May by another victim’s family. The family of Joe Perez made similar claims in its lawsuit about Jeffrey Reinking’s alleged negligence in returning weapons to his son. Attorneys for Jeffrey Reinking could not immediately be reached for comment on the new suit, though they declined to comment on the Perez complaint in May.
