Crime
Solomon Henderson, Antioch High School shooting suspect motive revealed in alleged manifesto
‘I was so miserable. I wanted to kill myself. I just couldn’t take anymore. I am a worthless subhuman, a living, breathing disgrace,’ the 17-year-old gunman allegedly wrote.
Authorities are investigating a chilling 47-page document reportedly written by 17-year-old Solomon Henderson, the suspected gunman responsible for the deadly shooting at Antioch High School in Nashville, Tennessee.
The manifesto, which surfaced online shortly before the tragic incident, offers a harrowing glimpse into the suspect’s thoughts, motives, and preparations leading up to the attack.
Download full 47 pages Manifesto
The document, allegedly posted to a social media account linked to Henderson, contained detailed plans for the shooting, including a layout of the school, photos of weapons he intended to use, and his personal struggles.
Henderson’s final entry was dated November 18—the same day that Metro Nashville Police Department responded to a hoax call reporting a school shooting at Antioch High School.
In one of the writings, Henderson reportedly expressed deep personal anguish and self-loathing, writing, “I was so miserable. I wanted to kill myself. I just couldn’t take anymore. I am a worthless subhuman, a living, breathing disgrace.”
He lamented feeling isolated and abandoned by friends, stating, “All my real-life friends outgrew me, acted like they didn’t f**ing know me. Becoming me was so humiliating. That’s why I spend all day dissociating.”*
Much of the alleged manifesto touches on Henderson’s struggles with race and identity.
In several passages, he expressed feelings of shame about his racial background and used inflammatory language targeting different ethnic and religious groups.
Henderson also mused over society’s perceptions of criminals, writing, “The difference between good and bad criminals depends on how well they were dressed. It depends on what weapon they used, their posture, their plan of attack… Even the very worst of criminal acts are forgiven by simply looking good.” He also listed goals to improve his physical appearance in preparation for the attack.
In a Q&A section of the manifesto, Henderson denied being a victim of bullying in the conventional sense but claimed he was “bullied in the cultural sense,” which he argued was a universal experience.
His criticisms of Antioch High School were harsh, calling it “a daycare” and claiming that students were incapable of independent thought. “In school, we’re taught to wake up early, shut up, sit for long periods of hours, do tasks you hate, then repeat.”
Investigators believe Henderson meticulously planned the attack, including links in the document to other manifestos, mass shooting guides, and images of the handgun, lockpicking tools, and ammunition he intended to use.
On the morning of the shooting, Henderson arrived at the school via bus and proceeded to a restroom, where police believe he retrieved the firearm.
Surveillance footage captured him wearing a hoodie as he entered the cafeteria just after 11:00 a.m., where he confronted 16-year-old Josselin Corea Escalante and opened fire.
Escalante was fatally shot, and another female student sustained a graze wound to her arm. Henderson then turned the weapon on himself, sustaining a fatal gunshot wound to the head.
A third student, a male, was injured during the commotion, suffering a facial injury unrelated to gunfire.
Henderson reportedly live-streamed the attack, and posts on his social media accounts revealed he had considered purchasing a GoPro camera to document the event but refrained due to concerns over explaining the purchase to his parents.
While the Metro Nashville Police Department has not yet officially verified the authenticity of the manifesto, Chief John Drake confirmed that investigators are examining materials found online.
“There are some materials on the internet that we’re looking at,” Chief Drake stated. “If someone had seen something and said something, maybe more could have been done.”
Law enforcement officials continue to urge the public to report any suspicious online activity that could indicate potential threats to school safety. The investigation remains ongoing as the community grapples with the devastating impact of this tragic event.
Crime
16-year-old Khyon Smith-Tate found shot to death inside Chipotle bathroom on edge of Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA — A 16-year-old boy was fatally shot inside the bathroom of a Chipotle restaurant near Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia on Monday afternoon, police said, as students and staff returned for the first day of the Spring 2026 semester.
The shooting occurred at approximately 5:00 p.m. inside the Chipotle located in the 1100 block of West Montgomery Avenue, on the ground floor of The View at Montgomery apartment complex. The building is situated near Temple University’s Student Center and TECH Center.
Police later identified the victim as Khyon Smith-Tate, a North Philadelphia resident. Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said Smith-Tate was found with a gunshot wound to the chest and was pronounced dead at 5:24 p.m.
Temple University President John Fry and Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police Jennifer Griffin issued a joint statement following the incident:
“The loss of life to gun violence is a profound tragedy, and there are no words that can make sense of it. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and loved ones.”
According to investigators, Smith-Tate and another minor entered the restaurant and requested access to the restroom. Chief Inspector Small said the shooting is believed to have occurred inside the bathroom.
Moments later, employees discovered Smith-Tate suffering from a gunshot wound. Police recovered one spent shell casing from a semiautomatic weapon inside the restroom.
Although the victim’s last known address was approximately eight blocks from the scene, authorities have not indicated what brought him to the location or what led to the shooting.
At the time of the incident, the restaurant was crowded, and multiple individuals inside the business were detained briefly for questioning. However, police said they have not yet obtained any statements from witnesses who reported hearing a gunshot.
A person of interest was taken into custody several blocks from the scene shortly after the shooting, but Chief Inspector Small said that individual’s involvement remains unclear.
As of Tuesday, police confirmed that no arrests have been made and no motive has been established.
Investigators believe Smith-Tate entered the restroom with another minor, though the whereabouts of that individual remain unknown.
Police are also seeking information about three possible suspects, described as teenagers carrying backpacks.
Chief Inspector Small noted that the area is equipped with numerous surveillance cameras, which detectives are reviewing as part of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities are asking anyone with information related to the incident to contact the Philadelphia Police Department.