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Accused Waffle House gunman’s father files motion to dismiss lawsuit against him

Jeffrey Reinking, the father of accused Waffle House gunman Travis Reinking, has filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed against him in Tazewell County, Illin...
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Jeffrey Reinking, the father of accused Waffle House gunman Travis Reinking, has filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed against him in Tazewell County, Illinois.  

The wrongful death lawsuit was filed by the family of Waffle House victim, Joe Perez Jr., and alleges Jeffrey Reinking was negligent when he returned his son’s guns to him.  

One of those guns, a Bushmaster AR-15, was used in the April 22 shooting at the Antioch Waffle House.

In the newly-filed motion, Jeffrey Reinking claims it was not his duty under the law to keep the guns away from Travis Reinking because his son legally owned them.  

Jeffrey Reinking also says his son’s firearms ownership card (FOID), which is required by law for Illinois residents, was not revoked because he had previous run-ins with the law, but because he was no longer living in Illinois. 

Jeffrey Reinking also claims it was not his duty under Illinois law to control the actions of his adult son.  

“Even if Jeffrey Reinking had temporary possession of Travis Reinking’s firearms, Travis Reinking still would have had a superior right to control and possess the firearms and had the power to demand their return,” the motion reads.  

An attorney for the Perez family released a statement Thursday afternoon, saying, “Legally and morally the Perez family’s claim is valid and just. Mr. Reinking’s motion to dismiss lacks merit and we look forward to presenting the applicable law to the trial judge.” 

Travis Reinking is accused of opening fire at an Antioch Waffle House, killing four people in late April. and injuring three others. 

The 29-year-old was taken into custody after a more than 30-hour manhunt. He faces several charges, including four counts of criminal homicide.  

He remains jailed without bond

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