Nashville, TN – A tragic shooting at Antioch High School in Nashville, Tennessee, on Wednesday has left one student dead and another injured. The 17-year-old gunman, identified as Solomon Henderson, opened fire in the school cafeteria, fatally shooting 16-year-old Josselin Corea Escalante and wounding a 17-year-old male student before turning the weapon on himself. Authorities confirmed that the shooter livestreamed part of the attack on the platform Kick, where the video was quickly removed and the account banned.
According to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, Henderson entered the cafeteria and fired 10 shots from a 9mm pistol just 17 seconds after arriving. Prior to the attack, Henderson posted photos on social media from a nearby bathroom. His mother, who had dropped him off at school earlier that morning, was not initially identified as the person who brought him to campus, though the police later corrected this statement.
The gun used in the attack was purchased in Arizona in 2022 by an unnamed individual, and was not reported as stolen. Police recovered the weapon, which had seven rounds remaining, from the cafeteria floor. Authorities also discovered two documents, totaling 339 pages, believed to have been written by Henderson, which are currently under review by homicide investigators.
A statement from the police department revealed that Henderson appeared to have been “significantly influenced by web-based material, especially that found on non-traditional sites that most would find harmful and objectionable.” The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is working closely with local authorities to investigate the potential ideological influences that may have shaped the shooter’s actions.
Kick, the streaming platform where the attack was partially broadcast, condemned the incident and expressed their commitment to supporting law enforcement in the investigation. “Violence has no place on Kick,” the company said in a statement. “We are actively working with law enforcement and taking all appropriate steps to support their investigation.”
The tragic event has prompted renewed concerns about the role of social media and online platforms in promoting violence and radicalization. With the rise of non-traditional and sometimes unregulated sites, experts warn of the dangers these platforms pose, particularly for vulnerable individuals who may be exposed to harmful content.
The investigation continues as authorities work to piece together the motive behind the attack. At this time, no clear motive has been identified, but the focus on Henderson’s possible online influences suggests that the internet played a significant role in shaping his actions.
The community of Antioch High School is left grappling with the aftermath of this senseless tragedy. Students, faculty, and local residents are mourning the loss of young life, while also questioning how society can better address the underlying factors contributing to such violent incidents.
As authorities continue to investigate, the impact of this incident is sure to reverberate through the wider conversation on mental health, social media regulation, and gun access in the United States.
