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In the midst of tragedy, Nashville embraces its hometown hero

tn.gov

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (OSBORNE)  --  Nashville native and Waffle House shooting survivor James Shaw Jr. continues to be hailed as a hero for intervening to stop a gunman's rampage.

Four people were killed and others wounded during the Sunday morning attack on diners at an Antioch Waffle House by a man wielding an assault style rifle.

Shaw says when the gunman’s rifle jammed he rushed forward and grabbed the weapon by the barrel. Shaw and the gunman wrestled for the weapon, but Shaw was able to snatch it away and threw it behind a counter.

Shaw continues to insist that he’s no hero and only acted to save his own life. But the accolades keep coming.

On Tuesday Shaw was honored in the Tennessee Senate where Chief Clerk Russell Humphrey read out a proclamation honoring his bravery. Speaking through tears, Shaw spoke briefly to lawmakers in the Tennessee House as they also honored his actions.

"In me saving (my) life I saved other lives. That's probably one of the greatest things I think you coudl do. So, that's all I have to say."

Shaw was also lauded Tuesday in the nation’s capitol by Tennessee Congressional Rep. Jim Cooper who spoke of his bravery from the floor of the U.S. House.

“Mr Shaw doesn’t consider himself a hero, but his actions clearly prove that he is a hero. He gave us hope in one of our darkest days. We’re heartbroken for the tragic loss of life, but we are heartened and proud of our hometown hero.”

Shaw is using his fame to benefit the families of the victims of the Waffle House shooting. He’s set up a Gofundme account to raise money to cover their expenses.