n January 22, 2025, a tragic shooting occurred at Antioch High School in Nashville, Tennessee, resulting in the deaths of two students and injuries to two others. The incident has left the community in mourning and searching for answers.
Incident Overview
At approximately 11:00 a.m., 17-year-old student Solomon Henderson opened fire in the school cafeteria, fatally shooting 16-year-old classmate Josselin Corea Escalante. Two other students were injured: one suffered a graze wound and was treated at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, while the other sustained a non-gunshot-related facial injury. Henderson then turned the gun on himself, resulting in his death.
Victim Profiles
Josselin Corea Escalante was remembered by her family as a kind and loving individual who excelled in soccer and academics. Her father, German Corea, expressed his devastation, stating, “Every day I told her how much I loved her.” Her aunt described her as “a very calm girl and well-behaved. She had good grades in school. She was a girl who loved her parents and all her family.”
Shooter’s Background
Solomon Henderson, an ROTC cadet, was described by classmates as a top student and generally quiet. Investigations into his online activities revealed disturbing content. According to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), Henderson left behind hateful online posts and a manifesto, identifying as a “self-loathing incel” and expressing anti-Semitic and anti-Black views. His writings revealed self-hatred, internalized racism, and extremist ideologies influenced by incel forums. The ADL noted that he identified as a “mentalcel,” someone involuntarily celibate due to intellectual or learning disabilities. Henderson’s social media posts included a layout of the school, gun photos, and admiration for past school shooters. He also posted content promoting white supremacy, neo-Nazism, and called for violence against specific groups. The shooter livestreamed part of the attack, prompting Kick, the online platform, to cooperate with law enforcement. The incident underscores a growing trend of young people engaging in online networks that incite real-world violence, according to the ADL.
Community Response
In the aftermath of the shooting, Metro Nashville Public Schools’ director, Dr. Adrienne Battle, announced that Antioch High School would remain closed for the rest of the week to allow students and staff time to grieve. She commended the school staff for their quick response and thanked emergency responders for their swift actions. A vigil was held in honor of Josselin on the evening of the incident, with the community coming together to mourn the loss and support the affected families.
Authorities are continuing to investigate Henderson’s online presence and writings to determine a motive for the shooting. As of now, there is no known connection between him and the victims. The Metro Nashville Police Department is collaborating with local, state, and federal agencies to piece together the events leading up to this tragedy.
This incident has reignited discussions about school safety, mental health, and the influence of online extremist communities. As the community mourns, there is a collective call for increased measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
