Nashville’s Antioch High School remains closed following deadly school shooting

Image of police responding to the shooting at Antioch High School (Photo by Metro Nashville Police)

Metro Nashville Public Schools Director Dr. Adrienne Battle made the decision Wednesday to keep Antioch High School closed the rest of the week following a deadly shooting that killed two students, including the gunman.

Josselin Corea Escalante

The Metro Nashville Police Department says 17-year-old Solomon Henderson fired a total of ten shots from a nine-millimeter pistol in the school cafeteria just after 11 AM Wednesday, killing 16-year-old Josselin Corea Escalante and grazing a 17-year-old male student in the arm. Police say Henderson then turned the gun on himself. Police say Henderson’s gun was loaded with nine rounds when they recovered it along with a magazine loaded with seven rounds.

Dr. Battle says she made the decision to keep the school closed to give students and staff time to grieve. The district is additionally using the Southeast Community Center at  5260 Hickory Hollow Pkwy as a location to provide grief counseling, meals, and support for staff, students, and families.

“This is a heartbreaking day for the entire Antioch High School community and all of us in Nashville Public Schools. My heart goes out to the families of our students as they face unimaginable loss. I want to thank the school staff who quickly and heroically followed emergency protocols, potentially preventing further harm, as well as the Metro Nashville Police Department and Nashville Fire Department for their swift and urgent response,” said Battle.  “While we have been focused on addressing the immediate situation, we are committed to understanding how and why this happened and what more we can do to prevent such tragedies in the future. It’s important to remember that our schools have historically been safe places for learning, friendship, and growth. We cannot allow this tragedy to overshadow the positive experiences of our 80,000 students. “

Police have not established a connection between Henderson and the two shooting victims and it may be that both victims were struck by “random gunfire in the cafeteria.” Investigators say they’ve found two documents believed to have been created by Henderson on non-traditional websites, one 51 pages in length, the other 288 pages.

“That material, along with evidence recovered from the residence Wednesday, is under close scrutiny by Homicide Unit detectives, detectives from the Specialized Investigations Division, and the FBI. It is clear that Henderson was significantly influenced by web-based material, especially that found on non-traditional sites that most would find harmful and objectionable,” wrote police in a news release.

The FBI is working with detectives to learn more about any possible ideological influences in the shooting.

Investigators with Metro Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms (ATF) are additionally working together to determine how Henderson obtained the pistol. Police say an individual in Arizona purchased it in 2022 but the gun has not been reported stolen.

“On behalf of this entire police department, I extend our deep condolences to Antioch High students, parents, and staff,” said Police Chief John Drake. “Our officers and counselors will work to be part of the healing process in the days and weeks ahead.

Police say two school resource officers (SRO) were in another part of the building at the time of the shooting and didn’t make it to the cafeteria until after Henderson shot himself in the head.

The school district has implemented new security upgrades at the school in recent years including adding security cameras with weapons detection software and shatter resistant windows.

“Unfortunately, these measures were not enough to stop this tragedy. I know there are questions about additional steps such as stationary metal detectors should be considered,” said Battle. “While past research has shown they have had limitations and other unintended consequences, we will continue to explore emerging technologies and strategies to strengthen school safety.”

Updated to include additional information on the shooting and firearm from authorities.