Nashville, Tenn. — A high school shooting at Antioch High School in Nashville on Wednesday has left two students injured and the gunman, a fellow student, dead. The incident began in the cafeteria around mid-morning when the 17-year-old shooter opened fire, striking two students before turning the gun on himself.
The Metropolitan Nashville Police Chief, John Drake, identified the shooter as Solomon Henderson, a 17-year-old student at the school. Authorities quickly responded to the scene where they found Henderson deceased. One of the victims, 16-year-old Josselin Corea Escalante, succumbed to her injuries at a local hospital, while another male student received treatment for a minor arm wound caused by a bullet graze.
Drake disclosed that the chaos also led to another student sustaining a facial injury not related to gunfire. This student was hurt in a fall during the upheaval. At this time, police have not ascertained a motive for the attack nor clarified whether the victims were specifically targeted by Henderson.
The swift police response included a thorough search of the school premises by SWAT teams to ensure no additional threats were present. “There is no danger at the school,” assured police spokesman Don Aaron, confirming the incident was isolated.
Adrienne Battle, Nashville’s director of schools, commented on the district’s safety measures, which include the use of security cameras equipped with weapon-detection software, security vestibules, and school resource officers. She noted that while two resource officers were stationed at the school, they were not in the cafeteria where the incident unfolded. Battle expressed a commitment to exploring all viable security technologies and strategies moving forward.
Authorities are currently investigating how Henderson acquired the firearm used in the shooting, with federal authorities assisting in tracing the weapon’s origins. Additionally, police are examining troubling online writings and social media posts believed to be linked to Henderson.
The incident has reignited conversations around the effectiveness and potential downsides of metal detectors and other security measures in schools. Battle emphasized the need for a measured approach that considers the limitations of past strategies while staying open to new technologies.
The unfolding of the event took a disturbing turn as portions of it were reportedly livestreamed on KICK, a streaming platform which has since taken down the video and banned the account from which it was broadcast. KICK, which emphasizes a responsible content policy, has been actively cooperating with law enforcement about the incident.
As the community reels from this tragedy, police and school officials are coordinating efforts to support affected families and ensure all students can reunite with their parents safely.
Antioch High School, with a student population exceeding 2,100, is situated approximately 10 miles southeast of downtown Nashville. This shooting adds to a troubling tally of similar incidents in the U.S., with last year marking one of the highest numbers of school shooting incidents over the past decade. As investigations continue, the community and authorities alike are calling for enhanced measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.