NASHVILLE HIGH SCHOOL SHOOTING: Investigators Find Web-Based Material Influencing Teen Shooter’s Actions
The 17-year-old gunman who opened fire at Antioch High School in Nashville, Tennessee, on Wednesday, killing one student and injuring another before turning the gun on himself, was heavily influenced by harmful and objectionable web-based material, police have found. According to authorities, Solomon Henderson entered the school’s cafeteria on Wednesday and fired 10 shots from a 9mm pistol within 16 seconds, killing 16-year-old Josselin Corea Escalante and injuring a 17-year-old student.
An investigation found that Henderson was “significantly influenced” by material found on non-traditional websites. Before entering the cafeteria, Henderson went into a nearby restroom and posted photos to social media.
The handgun used in the shooting was purchased by an individual in Arizona in 2022 and had not been reported stolen. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is assisting police in determining how Henderson acquired the firearm.
Henderson’s parents initially believed their son took the bus to school on Wednesday, but police have since confirmed that his mother drove him to school.
Police discovered two documents on non-traditional websites, believed to be created by Henderson, during their search of his residence. Investigators found no other firearms or gun parts at the residence.
“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,” police said in a statement.
The shooting occurred just prior to the school day beginning, leaving students and parents stunned and distraught. Two individuals, including the shooter, died in the shooting, with a second victim receiving treatment for their injuries before being released from the hospital.
This story has brought to the forefront the concerns over the rise in school violence and the increasing importance of mental health support systems for students and the community as a whole.