Police Investigate Writings Linked to Nashville School Shooter’s Tragic Attack on Female Student

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A tragic school shooting at Antioch High School has left the community reeling. On Wednesday, 17-year-old Solomon Henderson fatally shot classmate Josselin Corea Escalante, 16, in the school cafeteria before taking his own life. This incident revives painful memories of a previous school shooting in Nashville that claimed six lives, including three children, nearly two years ago.

Authorities are now investigating Henderson’s online activity, revealing disturbing writings that hint at neo-Nazi and white supremacist ideologies. Anti-hate analysts report that the content comprises plans for the shooting and expressions of shame about being Black, although no specific targets were named in the writings.

The police confirmed that Henderson fired 10 shots within a brief span of 17 seconds. A 9 mm pistol, which had been purchased in Arizona last year and was not reported stolen, was recovered. Investigators are still looking into the origins of the weapon.

In an unsettling turn, analysts from the Anti-Defamation League’s Center on Extremism deemed a 288-page document linked to Henderson as authentic after cross-referencing it with social media accounts believed to belong to him. Jared Holt, a senior research analyst focusing on U.S. extremism, remarked on the rarity of minority individuals being drawn to white supremacist movements, suggesting that Henderson’s case is particularly extreme.

While local law enforcement remains tight-lipped regarding the specifics of Henderson’s writings, they maintain that the shooting may have been random, with no established connections between him and his victims. A student who sustained a grazing wound has since been treated, alongside another who suffered a facial injury during the chaos.

The shooting has sparked renewed scrutiny over safety measures in Nashville schools. Critics question why recently implemented AI technology, designed to detect weapons on campus, failed to trigger an alarm during the incident. Metro Nashville Public Schools officials stated that the shooter’s position relative to the cameras rendered the system ineffective at that moment.

This incident is the latest in a troubling series of gun-related events in Nashville schools. On the morning of the Antioch shooting, a 16-year-old was arrested with a loaded gun at school. Shortly afterward, an 18-year-old from McGavock High School was taken into custody for possessing a handgun in his backpack during gym activities.

Amid rising concerns about school safety, state GOP lawmakers have consistently resisted gun control measures. Instead, recent legislative actions have favored increasing security, including allowing some educators to carry concealed firearms on school grounds without informing parents.

Antioch, located approximately 10 miles from downtown Nashville, has witnessed various high-profile shootings in recent years, amplifying concerns about gun violence in the area. As the investigation continues, the community seeks answers and calls for change in school safety protocols.

Associated Press reporters Jonathan Mattise, Travis Loller, and Adrian Sainz contributed to this report.