Waffle House shooting suspect arrested for trespassing near White House in 2017, officials say

WASHINGTON - The man suspected of opening fire at a Tennessee Waffle House, killing four people, had been arrested in 2017 for illegal trespassing near the White House, Secret Service officials say.

Authorities say 29-year-old Travis Jeffrey Reinking was arrested on July 7, 2017, by the Secret Service after he allegedly crossed an exterior security barrier near the White House Complex.

A Secret Service agent tells the Associated Press that Reinking, of Morton, Illinois, had hoped to talk to President Donald Trump.

Special Agent Todd Hudson in Nashville said Reinking "wanted to set up a meeting with the president."

Hudson says Reinking tried to cross bike racks near the White House grounds that were part of security barriers. Reinking was asked to leave the restricted area, and when he declined, Reinking was charged with unlawful entry, according to the Secret Service.

Officials say they shared the information on Reinking's arrest to law enforcement partners, including the FBI, at the time.

According to the Secret Service, the Nashville Field Office and headquarters divisions are working closely with all law enforcement personnel involved in this case.

Police said Reinking began shooting people in the parking lot of the Waffle House in Antioch, Tennessee early Sunday morning. He then stormed the restaurant carrying an assault rifle at about 3:25 a.m. and began shooting at the people eating inside, according to officials.

Four have died and two others were injured.

A good Samaritan, 29-year-old James Shaw Jr., was able to wrestle away Reinking's rifle after a struggle, police said.

Investigators said Reinking was taken into custody on Monday after a massive manhunt.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.