NASHVILLE, TN – A tragic shooting at Antioch High School on Wednesday morning claimed the life of a 16-year-old student and injured two others. The incident has left the Nashville community in mourning as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the violence.
Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) officers responded to reports of an active shooter at approximately 11:11 a.m. The suspect, identified as 17-year-old Solomon Henderson, entered the school’s cafeteria and opened fire with a pistol. Josselin Corea Escalante, 16, was killed in the attack. A male student sustained a graze wound to his arm, and another student suffered an eye injury caused by debris. The suspect then fatally shot himself.
The school was immediately placed on lockdown as law enforcement secured the premises. Two school resource officers were on campus but were not in the cafeteria at the time of the shooting. A reunification site was established at 3754 Murfreesboro Pike, where parents and guardians could pick up students. Transportation arrangements were made to ensure all students returned home safely.
Traffic in the area was severely affected, with parts of Hobson Pike and Murfreesboro Pike closed. The Tennessee Department of Transportation deployed HELP trucks to assist with congestion. Meanwhile, Metro Nashville Public Schools expressed their sorrow, stating, “Our hearts are broken for the families affected by this senseless act of violence. Today, we mourn the loss of a promising young life.”
In response to the tragedy, a community healing gathering was scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at the Hamilton Church United Family Fellowship. Local leaders, including House Democratic Caucus Chairman John Ray Clemmons, called for stronger preventative measures to address gun violence, emphasizing the urgency of action to prevent such tragedies.
The MNPD, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), continues its investigation into the shooting. Authorities have urged anyone with additional information to come forward as they work to determine the events leading up to the incident. This heartbreaking event underscores the importance of community efforts to ensure school safety and prevent future acts of violence.