The quadruple-murder at a Waffle House in Antioch has thrust Nashville Mayor David Briley into his first public tragedy since taking office — and in its wake he has called for tighter gun control.
Briley’s statements come just days after
he had spoken out at a rally — led by high school students — against gun violence. The mayor told protesting students on Friday that the city doesn’t need any more guns, and he has since focused in on the AR-15 rifle that was used in the Antioch attack and in other mass shootings.
“If we can all just come together for this and for the greater good, we can take these weapons of war off the streets of our country,” Briley said Sunday.
“For a moment, let’s be honest about what happened … innocent Nashvillians were terrorized by a man with an AR-15. Let’s be honest, some people see these weapons as having a purpose of terrorizing other people.”
Mayor Quick To Praise Police
After the conclusion of the manhunt on Monday, Briley went to Twitter within moments to put voice to a collective “sigh of relief” for the city and to thank first responders.
Thank you,
@MNPDNashville,
@FBI,
@TBInvestigation, and all parties for your hard work. We are glad to know that our community will receive justice. The people of Antioch and all of Nashville can breathe a sigh of relief.
https://t.co/b1Ri0NDUIG— Mayor David Briley (@MayorBriley)
April 23, 2018
At a news conference, he described the work of Metro police as “relentless.”
“It was tough work,” he said. “I want to thank them personally on behalf of all of the citizens of Nashville for all that they did.”
The mayor committed to supporting the grieving families of those lost in the attack. He said a trauma counseling team would be made available in Southeast Nashville and that condolence books would be signed and given to the grieving families.
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