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.
MT. JULIET, Tenn. — Authorities have identified two victims killed during an active shooter incident at Cedar Creek Marina in Mt. Juliet late Friday night.
The suspect, identified as Gary Haley, a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, is deceased following an officer-involved shooting, officials confirmed.
Mount Juliet Police officers were dispatched at approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday to the Cedar Creek Marina, located in the 9000 block of Saundersville Road, after receiving reports of a man threatening another individual on the docks.
Due to the active shooter report, a shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area as a precaution.
Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was later identified as Robby Brogdon, who was transported to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Despite life-saving efforts, Brogdon later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators determined that the suspected shooter had retreated to a boat within the marina and had barricaded himself inside.
The standoff continued for several hours as officers secured the scene and attempted to resolve the situation safely.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. Saturday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) reported that the suspect engaged responding officers and fired shots at them under circumstances that remain under investigation. Officers returned fire.
The suspect, Gary Haley, was later found deceased aboard the vessel.
During the course of the response, officers also discovered a second adult male victim, Nathan Jones, who had been shot by the suspect.
Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has assumed responsibility for the investigation, which includes a homicide, an attempted homicide, and an officer-involved shooting.
TBI agents are actively conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and working to establish a comprehensive timeline of events.
Upon completion of the investigation, findings will be submitted to 15th Judicial District Attorney General Jason Lawson for review.
Authorities stated that additional information will be released as it becomes available.