One of the survivors in the Waffle House shooting spoke about the incident for the first time since being released from the hospital following the deadly April 22 restaurant shooting.
Shanita Waggoner, 22, was the girlfriend of Akilah DaSilva who was killed when a gunman opened fire at the Murfreesboro Pike location.
Waggoner said she and DaSilva were together for about five years after meeting in high school.
"I have a hard time adjusting but it’s been good just because I’ve been around family. It’s been rough not having that person that I love. Losing him it’s been one of the hardest things I’ve had to deal with," she said.
DaSilva shielded Waggoner from bullets as the suspected gunman opened fire.
She remained in the hospital for a month recovering from a gunshot wound to her leg. During her recovery, she continues to try and learn how to fully walk again. She said doctors are hoping to save her leg.
"Without a leg I will still be OK but with him gone there’s nothing that can replace that. The recovery process has been very hard but I’m not going to complain. I’m thankful for being alive. There were people who didn’t make it that night so I don’t have much to say regarding that," she said.
Waggoner said she will continue to fight for justice for DaSilva. Her boyfriend, whose stage name was Natrix Dream, spoke out against gun violence. The lyric 'Forget about making a hashtag, let's throw all the guns in a trash bag' described a part of who DaSilva was as a person.
"He was the sweetest and selfless person. There wasn’t anything that he wouldn’t do for someone else. We are fighting for him. The fights will never end even when we're long gone he will still live on," she said.
Waggoner has set up a gofundme account to help with medical expenses.
