NASHVILLE, Tenn. — On Wednesday, a tragic incident unfolded in the cafeteria of Antioch High School, resulting in the death of a 16-year-old girl and leaving another student injured. This event occurred nearly two years after another devastating school shooting in Nashville that sparked intense discussions about gun control within the state of Tennessee.
In a news conference, Metro Nashville Police spokesperson Don Aaron revealed that the assailant, 17-year-old Solomon Henderson, was also a student at the same high school. After shooting Escalante, the shooter took his own life with a handgun.
Police Chief John Drake reported that Henderson targeted Josselin Corea Escalante, fatally shooting her in the cafeteria. Another student sustained a minor injury from a bullet graze and was treated before being released from the hospital. In addition, a third student was taken to a medical facility for a facial injury incurred during the chaos.
Authorities, including local law enforcement and federal agencies, are currently investigating troubling online writings and social media content linked to Henderson to better understand his motives. As of now, investigators have not identified any relationship between Henderson and the victims, indicating that the shooting may have been a random act of violence.
Two resource officers were present at the school when the shooting began around 11 a.m. However, they were not immediately in the cafeteria area and reached the scene only after the shooter had already taken his life.
Antioch High School has an enrollment of approximately 2,000 students and is located roughly ten miles southeast of Nashville’s downtown. Following the incident, students were transported to a medical facility where officials assisted families in reconnecting with their children.
Dajuan Bernard was anxiously waiting at a nearby service station to reunite with his 10th-grade son, who had been secured in the auditorium along with other students. Bernard was relieved to hear from his son, who had only heard the gunshots from upstairs. “He was OK and let me know that everything was okay,” Bernard stated. He expressed concern about the broader implications of such violence, emphasizing the need for societal changes to protect future generations.
Another family member, Fonda Abner, recounted her anxiety when her granddaughter called her amid the chaos, believing it was merely a pocket dial. “It’s nerve-racking waiting out here,” she said during her wait for further updates.
In response to the incident, United Family Fellowship, a local church, organized a vigil to provide community members with a space to seek comfort and reflect.
In an earlier statement, Nashville School Superintendent Adrienne Battle discussed the measures implemented in public schools to enhance safety. These efforts include partnerships with police for school resource officers, installation of security cameras with weapon-detection capabilities, and improvements to school entrances. However, Battle acknowledged that these precautions fell short in preventing this tragedy.
Debate arose about the potential implementation of stationary metal detectors in schools. While past research has highlighted challenges associated with such measures, Battle confirmed that the school district would continue exploring new strategies for bolstering school safety.
This incident follows a concerning pattern of violence at Antioch High School, where a 16-year-old was arrested last October for bringing a gun on campus.
Wednesday’s shooting echoes a severe school shooting that took place nearly two years ago at a Nashville private elementary school, which resulted in the deaths of six individuals, including three children. The community’s response to that tragedy included prolonged advocacy for gun control reforms, but lawmakers have largely resisted taking action on such measures. Instead, they have shown greater interest in enhancing school security, including a recently passed law that permits some teachers and staff to carry concealed firearms on campus.
Antioch, a diverse neighborhood in Nashville, has experienced multiple notable shootings over recent years, including a deadly incident at Burnette Chapel Church of Christ in 2017 and a shooting at a Waffle House in 2018 that claimed four lives.
State Representative Shaundelle Brooks, who campaigned for office after her son was killed in the Waffle House shooting, reiterated the urgent need for gun control reform following the Antioch High incident. “We must do better,” Brooks asserted, emphasizing ongoing struggles against gun violence within the community.
For many parents, the distress of the day was palpable. Samantha Dickerson, whose 14-year-old son’s phone was confiscated as punishment, felt helpless upon receiving news about the shooting. After several anxious hours, she managed to connect with her son’s teacher and learned he was safe, prompting an emotional release of tears upon hearing his voice.
