A man with ties to the Buda and Kyle communities has been identified as one of the four victims in an April 22 mass shooting at a Waffle House in Nashville, Tennessee.
Joe R. Perez, 20, was shot and killed along with three others by Travis J. Reinking, 29, of Morton, Ill., who authorities suspect is the shooter. Four other people were injured in the incident. As of press time, Reinking had been taken into custody.
According to various media reports, a man who was wearing only a green jacket entered into a Waffle House restaurant around 3 a.m. April 22 when he began firing an AR-15 rifle.
The man, later identified as Reinking, was disarmed by Nashville area resident James Shaw, Jr. before fleeing the scene. According to reports, Reinking was captured and placed into custody Monday.
Perez, who resided in Nashville at the time of the shooting, attended elementary and secondary school at Hays CISD campuses.
Tim Savoy, Hays CISD public information officer, said Perez attended Hemphill, Tobias and Science Hall elementary schools, Wallace Middle School, Lehman High and then Hays High.
Kyle resident and local barber Tre Abeita, who cut Perez’ hair for six years, said Perez was a driven individual who was “always looking for his next move.”
Abeita said Perez was a “hard worker and very family oriented.”
“He was always willing to listen and learn,” Abeita said. “He was an awesome son, friend, brother, uncle to his baby niece.”
Abeita said Perez moved out to Tennessee with Christian Perez, his brother, on a job opportunity.
“The unexpected turn took all of us by surprise,” Abeita said. “Nobody deserves to face that type of horrific situation.”
Abeita said he will always remember his energetic conversations, his laugh and his concern to “be better and do better for him and his family.”
“He just wanted everyone around him to be proud,” Abeita said.
This story is developing. We will provide updates as they become available.
