NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Two students are dead and another student was injured after a shooting inside Antioch High School on Wednesday.
According to police, two students were shot by another in the cafeteria. The shooter then turned the gun on himself. One female student and the shooter are dead. The shooter shot himself.
The teen girl who died is identified as Josselin Corea Escalante. The shooter is identified as Solomon Henderson.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Tennessee Highway Patrol are now on the scene to assist with Metro Nashville Police Department investigators. Around 2,000 students attend Antioch High School.
"The investigation is ongoing. We are not sure if it was targeted or intended for other people. Our homicide detectives are actively investigating this," MNPD Chief John Drake said.
The student arrived on a bus on Wednesday morning. He went into a bathroom to retrieve his weapon before the school shooting happened.
The active-shooter call came in at 11:11 am.
"We know at 11:09 a.m. a person who has been identified as a a 17-year-old started firing shots into the cafeteria. One female student has died. The other is in stable condition at Vanderbilt University Medical Center," MNPD spokesperson Don Aaron said.
Two student resource officers were in the building at the time of the shooting but were not in the cafeteria. The school has protective film on the glass and video security that is supposed to detect guns. Metal detectors weren't present at the high school.
Federal partners are doing a trace on the pistol, which was the shooter's weapon. Multiple rounds were fired inside the school.
"The investigation is ongoing as to a motive," Drake said. "There are some materials on the internet that's under investigation. We will continue the investigation that will go into the wee hours of the morning."
An additional student was injured but not from a gunshot wound. Aaron said he had a facial injury from a fall. He was wearing his glasses.
MNPS Director of Schools Adrienne Battle said she was the former principal of Antioch High School.
"As a former principal of Antioch High School, this loss is deeply personal to me in and throughout our community," Battle said. "As you all can imagine, this is a heartbreaking event for all of us here in Nashville and in Metro Nashville Public Schools. We lost student in a tragic incident and the life of a peer — forever changing the lives of everyone who knew them. We are grateful that no additional lives were lost though another is being treated for injuries. School staff followed emergency protocols. Their actions were heroic on a dark day."
Battle said she was a student herself during the last shooting in Metro Nashville Public School history in the 1990s at J.T. Moore Middle School. That is when Terrance Murray, 13, was shot and killed inside the classroom of his middle school. At the time, it was the first shooting inside a Metro School. He was accidentally shot by another student while that student was handling a gun, that was brought to campus.
"I know how deeply this affects families and parents everywhere. MNPS are committed to supporting Antioch High School as we navigate the difficult time together," Battle said.
Tiffany Brooks — a grandparent of a student at AHS — said she lived near the school.
"I don't have time to cry. I have to figure out where she is at," Brooks said. I get the kids from school. I work from home. I am the go-to. Tonight, when it's all over with, I will lay in the bed and I will cry. I can't right now. I have to make sure everyone is good. It's going to feel good to hug her. Those other parents ... "
Parents needing information regarding reunification can call 615-401-1712.
The Antioch community will gather Wednesday night at 3105 Hamilton Church Road at Hamilton Church. The vigil was start at 6:30 p.m.
MNPS social workers and guidance counselors will be available for students and families in need of support at the Family Assistance Center at the reunification site.
Responses from the community
Members from the Metro Nashville Public School board
This morning, we were heartbroken to learn of the tragic shooting at Antioch High School. Our thoughts and prayers are with the students, educators, families, and the entire Antioch High School community as they navigate this unthinkable event.
As leaders of Metro Nashville Public Schools, we are committed to ensuring that all those affected by this tragedy receive the care and support they need. The MNPS team is working tirelessly to provide resources and assistance to help our students, staff, and families heal during this difficult time.
This incident underscores the critical importance of coming together as a community to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone in our schools. We will continue to stand united in addressing the challenges we face and fostering environments where every student and educator feels secure and supported.
Please join us in keeping the Antioch High School community in your thoughts and prayers. Together, we will move forward with compassion, strength, and a shared commitment to the safety and success of our students.
Sincerely,
Freda Player
Chair, Metro Nashville Board of Education
Cheryl Mayes
District 6 School Board Member
Metro Nashville Public Schools
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee
"I’ve been briefed on the incident at Antioch High School and am grateful for law enforcement & first responders who responded quickly and continue to investigate. As we await more information, I join Tennesseans in praying for the victims, their families and the school community."
Rep. John Ray Clemmons, D-Nashville, who represents the area of Antioch
“Again, our community has suffered an unspeakable tragedy in a school that has detrimentally impacted innocent children and families. We are continuing to monitor this situation with the Mayor’s office, MNPD and MNPS, and we will provide more information as we receive it. In the meantime, we will be praying for the children reportedly injured and all the students of Antioch High School whose lives have been forever altered today. Our efforts will not stop at thoughts and prayers. We will continue to fight for common sense gun safety solutions that protect our children and communities from gun violence."
Sen. Charlane Oliver, D-Nashville, who represents Antioch
“My heart is broken over the devastating shooting at Antioch High School today. As a mother and a representative of this community, I grieve with the families, students, and staff who are enduring this unimaginable tragedy. My heart goes out to the victims who were shot, their loved ones, and everyone impacted by this horrific act of violence. No child should ever feel unsafe in their school, and no family should face the anguish of such a senseless loss.
“I am in contact with local officials, law enforcement, and school leadership to offer my full support and ensure our community has the resources needed to heal. My senate office stands ready to assist families, students, and educators with navigating this crisis and will do everything in my power to push for meaningful legislative changes to prevent senseless acts of gun violence.”
Sen. Bill Hagerty, Tennessee Congressional Senator
"Heartbroken to hear this news from Antioch High School. I am closely monitoring the situation and thank all of the first responders involved."
U.S. Rep. John Rose, Congressional District 6
"My team and I are monitoring this horrific news out of Middle Tennessee. I ask you all to join Chelsea and me in praying for these students, their families, Antioch High School teachers and staff, and all the first responders on the scene of this tragedy."
U.S. Rep. Mark Green, Congressional District 7
"Praying for the students, faculty, and families of Antioch High School. This senseless violence has no place in our communities. My office is closely monitoring the situation and we are grateful for the law enforcement and first responders on the scene."
Students Demand Action Tennessee
“No matter how desensitized America has become to school shootings, there’s nothing normal or okay about students being shot for going to class,” said Ibtihal Cheko, a volunteer leader from Hume Fogg High School with the Students Demand Action Tennessee chapter. “Our hearts are absolutely broken for everyone impacted by this tragedy. It doesn’t have to be this way. Tennessee lawmakers have played enough politics; it’s time to step up and address gun violence so we can go to school without getting shot.”
This is a breaking news situation, we will update as information comes in.
Do you have more information about this story? You can email me at kelly.broderick@newschannel5.com.
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-Rebecca Schleicher
