Crime
Victim killed in Antioch High School shooting identified as 16-year-old Josselin Corea Escalante
Authorities determined that a 17-year-old male suspect, identified as Solomon Henderson, entered the school’s cafeteria and opened fire with a pistol.
A tragic shooting incident occurred inside Antioch High School on Wednesday morning, resulting in the death of a 16-year-old female student and injuries to two others.
According to the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD), officers responded to reports of an active shooter at the school at approximately 11:11 a.m.
Upon arrival, authorities determined that a 17-year-old male suspect, identified as Solomon Henderson, entered the school’s cafeteria and opened fire with a pistol.
The shooting claimed the life of 16-year-old Josselin Corea Escalante.
A male student sustained a gunshot graze wound to his arm, while another student suffered an eye injury from debris following the shooting.
Henderson subsequently turned the gun on himself, resulting in a fatal self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
Law enforcement confirmed that two school resource officers (SROs) were inside the building at the time of the shooting; however, they were not in the immediate vicinity of the cafeteria. The situation had concluded by the time they arrived on the scene.
Authorities have established a reunification site for parents at 3754 Murfreesboro Pike.
Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) announced the following transportation arrangements for students:
- Beginning at 2:15 p.m., students who normally take the bus will be transported home via their regular routes.
- Students who drove to school will be escorted back to Antioch High to retrieve their vehicles once the parking lot is cleared by law enforcement.
- Students who typically walk to school will be provided transportation home if their parents do not pick them up.
- Car riders can be picked up at the designated reunification site.
Traffic congestion in the surrounding area remains an issue, with Hobson Pike closed near the Wilson County line and portions of Murfreesboro Pike closed near the school. The Tennessee Department of Transportation has deployed HELP trucks to assist with traffic management.
In response to the tragedy, a community healing gathering has been scheduled at 6:30 p.m. at the Hamilton Church United Family Fellowship, located at 3105 Hamilton Church Road.
MNPS officials expressed their deep sorrow over the shooting, stating:
โOur hearts are broken for the families affected by this senseless act of violence. Today, we mourn the loss of a promising young life and hold in our hearts all those impacted by this tragedy.โ
House Democratic Caucus Chairman John Ray Clemmons addressed the broader implications of the shooting, emphasizing the need for stronger preventative measures to curb gun violence in schools.
โFor my colleagues who believe inaction is acceptable, I urge you to put yourself in the shoes of the parents whose child will not be coming home today,โ Clemmons stated. โWe must do everything in our power to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.โ
MNPD has confirmed that this remains an active crime scene, and further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is also assisting with the investigation.
Anyone with additional information is urged to contact the Metro Nashville Police Department as they work to piece together the events leading up to this devastating incident.
Crime
Attorneys Argue Jacob Bard Actions in Deadly Kentucky State University Shooting Were Legally Justified
Attorneys representing Jacob Bard, the man accused in a deadly shooting at Kentucky State University, contend that his actions were legally justified and undertaken in defense of his family amid what they describe as a violent and uncontrolled situation on campus.
In a press release issued Monday afternoon, Bardโs legal team from the Indiana-based law firm Danks & Danks asserted that Bard โwas completely justified under the law in his use of deadly force.โ
Bard is accused of fatally shooting one Kentucky State University student and wounding another during an incident at a campus dormitory.
According to the attorneysโ statement, Bard traveled to Kentucky State University after his younger son reported being attacked on multiple occasions.
The release alleges that on Monday, December 8, a group of approximately 20 to 30 individuals gathered outside the sonโs dormitory, some allegedly armed, and began beating on the door. Campus police were reportedly called to respond to the disturbance.
The following morning, Bard and his wife met with Kentucky State University police. While the attorneys stated that officers appeared sincere in their efforts, they claimed it was evident to the family that campus police were โill-prepared to deal with the out-of-control and violent environment.โ
The legal team further alleges that both the university and its police department failed to adequately address what they described as multiple armed and violent felonies against Bardโs sons, ages 18 and 19, as well as other students in the days preceding the shooting.
Those alleged incidents included burglaries and armed assaults.
Later that morning, the family attended a meeting at Young Hall with campus police and a university dean.
According to the release, the meeting left the family convinced that the university would not be able to maintain a safe environment, prompting them to begin removing the sonโs belongings from the dormitory.
When the family returned to the residence hall, the attorneys claim that individuals previously involved in the alleged assaults were present, despite assurances they would not be allowed inside.
The statement further alleges that those individuals photographed the family and made verbal threats.
The attorneys contend that, even with two armed Kentucky State University police officers present, a group of 20 to 30 individuals gathered in the dormitory lobby and โviolently and viciously attackedโ Bardโs son and family members.
According to the release, Bardโs son was slammed into the concrete floor and beaten by multiple people, and the officer on scene allegedly lost control of the situation.
โIn the chaos,โ the attorneys wrote, Bard attempted to pull attackers off his son but was struck himself. Believing his son to be in imminent danger of death or serious physical injury, Bard then drew his firearm and shot two individuals whom the attorneys say were actively assaulting his son.
The legal team also stated that no charges have been filed against others allegedly involved in the confrontation and claimed the Bard family has continued to receive death threats.
The release further alleges that the mother of the deceased student has publicly called for retaliation against Bardโs son and sought assistance from criminal groupsโclaims that have not been independently verified by authorities.
The case against Bard was presented to a grand jury on December 16.
During a previous court hearing, a detective testified that at least one video reviewed by investigators did not show the shooting victims assaulting Bardโs son.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not issued a final determination regarding the circumstances surrounding the shooting.