Mother of Waffle House shooting victim running for office

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – A mother who lost her son in the 2018 Antioch Waffle House mass shooting announced her campaign for the Tennessee House of Representatives, hoping to bring about change with a seat at the table.

Shaundelle Brooks lost her son, Akilah DaSilva, nearly six years ago. Akilah was at the Antioch Waffle House with his brother, Abede DaSilva, when he was shot and killed. Since then, Brooks and her son have been working to reform gun laws in Tennessee.

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On the morning of Wednesday, Feb. 7, Brooks announced she would run for State House District 60, which covers Old Hickory.

“I’ve been begging and pleading for six years for change, and I just feel like I need to be a change I need to see,” Brooks said.

After going to local, state, and federal lawmakers, Brooks said she hasn’t seen any meaningful progress. Those frustrations are also being felt by many who called for change after the Covenant School shooting.

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“I am running for the other parents whose children didn’t come back home, for our children who deserve to be safe in schools, in stores, movie theaters, parks, and restaurants,” Brooks said.

State Rep. Gloria Johnson (D-Knoxville) and state Rep. Justin Jones (D-Nashville) are supporting Brooks’ announcement, adding they believe she has the personal experience to make a difference.

“She’s the only candidate I’m giving my 100% support to for a state race,” Jones said. “Sometimes they make this so abstract about data, but she’s someone who’s directly impacted, who lost a child, and who every day has fought to tell the story of not just her child, but all children.”

In addition to gun reform, Brooks also hopes to improve health care, including access to mental health resources and focus on public education.

Read the latest from the TN State Capitol Newsroom

Brooks hopes her efforts will honor her son Akilah.

“I feel like he’s carrying me; I can’t do this without him. It motivates me to think about him and what I’m doing for him and being his voice,” Brooks said.

The Primary Election will be held on Thursday, Aug. 1.

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