Yahoo News Nashville shooter's AR-15 was seized after he was arrested outside White House months ago
The suspected Nashville shooter attempted to breach the White House months ago and had the AR-15 he is believed to have used in the attack seized by authorities, it has emerged.
Reinking was arrested and taken into custody on Monday afternoon after more than 100 officials searched for him across the city.
Months earlier, Reinking was arrested by authorities for trying to breach a barrier near the White House and later had his guns seized.
Among the four weapons they confiscated was the AR-15 semi-automatic rifle that police say he used in the Waffle House shooting. However the guns were later returned to Reinking's father, who has confirmed he gave them back to his son, officials revealed.
A pistol which was seized is also missing from the suspect's apartment, police said.
Reinking was trying to meet President Trump when he attempted to cross a security barrier at the White House complex in July, authorities revealed.
FBI officers in Illinois, where Reinking lived at the time, seized his guns and revoked his firearm license.
Under Illinois law, some confiscated guns can be returned to a family member but Reinking could not legally possess the weapons in the state.
Suspect believed Taylor Swift was 'stalking' him
Reinking's parents have said that their son suffered from delusions and believed that pop star Taylor Swift was stalking him.
His family called emergency services during an incident in May 2016 when he believed Swift was harassing him, fearful that he would kill himself.
Reinking told local police that Swift was following him and wanted to meet him at a nearby Dairy Queen, according to police reports seen by US media.
When he went went to meet Swift he claimed that the pop star shouted at him from across the street and ran away.
He claimed he chased after her "in an attempt to get her to stop harassing him," according to the report seen by the New York Daily News.
He followed her up to a rooftop but when he reached the top the singer had vanished, he said.
Reinking had at least five incidents involving the police in his home state of Illinois before he moved to Nashville, where Swift started her music career.
Witnesses to Sunday's shooting said the gunman, who wore only a green jacket, opened fire in the car park of the Waffle House restaurant and shot dead four people.
Hero diner tackled gunman
The suspect fled after a 29-year-old diner, James Shaw Jr., wrestled the rifle from him. Police said Mr Shaw's actions probably saved several lives.
Mr Shaw said he had retreated into a narrow hallway next to the bathrooms at the Waffle House when the gunman entered the restaurant.
"I was just waiting for a chance, so when I saw the barrel down, I just saw my opportunity and I attacked," Mr Shaw told NBC-TV on Monday morning. He said he took the assault rifle from the suspect and threw it over a counter.
Mr Shaw, who was grazed by a bullet during the attack, was praised by authorities for his courage, but on Sunday he denied he was a hero: "I just wanted to live," he said.
Sarah Sanders, the White House press secretary said she commended the "heroic actions" of Mr Shaw.
"The President offers condolences to the victims and their families, he is monitoring the ongoing situation," she added.
