Travis Reinking’s guns seized, including rifle used at Waffle House, after 2017 arrest at White House: Cops

The suspected gunman who killed four and injured several others at a Waffle House in Tennessee on Sunday has a documented history with authorities, according to a police update.

As CrimeOnline previously reported, a customer at the restaurant was able to disarm the suspect during a break in the gunfire, though police say the nude gunman fled the scene on foot.

Metro Nashville Police Department spokesperson Don Aaron revealed in a news conference Sunday afternoon that 29-year-old Travis Reinking “was arrested by the U.S. Secret Service for being in a restricted area near the White House in July 2017.”

Though he was released, Aaron said his state firearms license was revoked and four weapons were seized from his home.

“Among those weapons seized by authorities was the AR-15 rifle used at the Waffle House today,” the police spokesman said.

At some point after that incident, however, Aaron said the firearms once again landed in the suspect’s possession.

“The police department has received information that the guns were returned by Tazewell County [Illinois] authorities to Reinking’s father, who has now acknowledged giving them back to his son,” he said.

Two of the four guns — the AR-15 recovered from Waffle House and another rifle subsequently discovered at Reinking’s apartment — have been retrieved by police.

The location of the suspect and the additional weapons were still unknown as of the latest reports available.

“Searches are on by law enforcement throughout the area, including our federal partners,” Aaron said.

Police hope tips from the public will help locate the suspect.

“Anyone seeing Reinking or knowing his whereabouts, please call the Nashville Police Department at 615-862-8600, your local law enforcement agency, or if it’s outside the immediate Middle Tennessee area, your local FBI office,” Aaron said.

[Featured image: Travis Reinking/Metro Nashville Police Department]