The U.S. Secret Service says the man suspected of opening fire and killing four people inside a Nashville-area Waffle House early Sunday was arrested nearly a year ago near the White House.
Secret Service officers arrested Travis Jeffrey Reinking on July 7, 2017 for unlawful entry after he crossed over a bike rack near the White House, a spokesman for the agency said Sunday.
Reinking told Secret Service at the time he wanted to set up a meeting with President Donald Trump, Special Agent Todd Hudson said.
Officers asked Reinking to leave the area and arrested him when he refused, Hudson said.
The 29-year-old was released and later interviewed by the FBI. Law enforcement seized four of his weapons, including the AR-15 used in the shooting, and revoked his license to possess firearms, authorities said.
The weapons were turned over to Reinking's father, who acknowledged that he had given them back to his son.
"The Secret Service Nashville Field Office and headquarters divisions are working closely with all law enforcement personnel involved in this case,” a spokesman said in a statement.
A major manhunt is underway to find Reinking, who is from Morton, Illinois.
Six people were shot at the Waffle House in Antioch, Tennessee, Metro Nashville Police said. Four of the victims died, and the two others are being treated at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. A hospital spokesperson said one patient was in critical condition and the other was in critical but stable condition.
