NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A tragic shooting at Antioch High School has revealed troubling details about the shooter, 17-year-old Solomon Henderson, who had a history of violent behavior before fatally shooting a classmate and then himself in January. Court documents obtained through an open records request shed light on Henderson’s past, including a probation sentence stemming from a prior incident where he threatened another student with a box cutter.
This earlier confrontation occurred in October 2024, when Henderson was charged with carrying a weapon on school property and reckless endangerment. The altercation began as a seemingly innocent conversation between students, which escalated quickly. According to the report, when a female classmate greeted Henderson, he reacted aggressively, threatening her with the box cutter in front of other students in the cafeteria.
Following that incident, Henderson’s judicial records indicated that he was to have no contact with the victim and that plans were made for him to be homeschooled. His supportive environment, however, did not prevent him from returning to school, although it remains unclear when he resumed attending classes. In January 2025, Henderson entered the cafeteria and opened fire with a 9 mm pistol, killing 16-year-old Josselin Corea Escalante and injuring another student.
Reports indicate Henderson discharged ten rounds in a short span of time. The firearm, purchased in Arizona, was not reported as stolen, but its exact origins are still under scrutiny. Authorities have stated that there appears to be no established connection between Henderson and the victims during the shooting, leading to speculation that the gunfire may have been indiscriminate.
As investigators delved deeper into Henderson’s background, they uncovered disturbing writings attributed to him. Analysts have identified materials that espouse violent and extremist ideologies, including references to white supremacy and neo-Nazi beliefs. These documents reportedly outline plans for the attack without pinpointing specific targets. The police have acknowledged that Henderson’s views were significantly shaped by harmful online influences.
The recent legislation in Tennessee allowing the release of juvenile court records in cases of homicide highlights the public’s demand for transparency, especially in light of this tragic event. Lawmakers established this measure to provide insight into the backgrounds of young offenders who commit serious crimes.
While Henderson’s juvenile history includes charges related to distributing inappropriate images of minors, the details surrounding these allegations remain unclear. Nonetheless, they paint a picture of a troubled young man whose past was marred by unsettling behavior long before the tragic events of January unfolded.
As the investigation continues and the community grapples with this loss, questions around school safety and the adequacy of mental health support for students at risk are at the forefront. Parents, students, and educators are left to ponder not just the motivations behind this violence but also the systems in place to address and prevent such incidents in the future.