A judge has ruled Waffle House shooter Travis Reinking is unfit to stand trial and will be committed to a mental institution.
Forensic psychologist Dr. Rena Isen evaluated Reinking before his Wednesday hearing and diagnosed him with schizophrenia, reports WSMV. Isen said Reinking hallucinates, has disorganized thoughts and doesn’t understand the court system.
Judge Mark Fishburn said Reinking is "in definite need of training and medical treatment for his mental illness” and committed him to Middle Tennessee Mental Health Institute. His progress will be assessed every six months, according to The Tennessean.
"Obviously that's the first step in getting him to become competent," Fishburn said. "The court does commit Mr. Reinking to Middle Tennessee Mental Health Institute to take whatever measures are reasonably necessary to see that he becomes and retains competency so that the trial in this case can proceed."
Reinking has been charged with four counts of murder, four counts of attempted murder and unlawful gun possession in the commission of a violent felony for the April 22 shooting. Taurean C. Sanderlin, Joe R. Perez, De'Ebony Groves and Akilah Dasilva were killed in the shooting.
Groves’ brother, Di’Angelo, was present during the hearing and said he is hopeful.
“He is ill and he needs help. I’m not angry. I’m not upset at all. He needs help,” Groves told WSMV. “I am totally at peace because seeing him was part of my process of grieving, so that was a prayer answered I finally got to see him in person and I’m going to take the journey as it comes.”
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