On Wednesday , January 22nd, a 17-year-old male student opened fire in school cafeteria killing one student and injuring another at Antioch High School in Nashville, Tennessee.
The 17-year-old was later identified as Solomon Henderson, shortly after shots were taken place, Henderson then turned the gun onto himself and took his life.
Antioch High School was stated to have a AI gun detection software which is also used in all Metro Nashville Public Schools. The AI gun detection failed to identify the gun due to the shooter not being close enough for the cameras to get an accurate read and activate the alarm.
Sean Braisted, chief of communications and technology for the district states in a CNN article, “It does work, but it’s not going to work in every instance, in every spot based on where that weapon might be visible” (Tsui, Boyette, Alvarado, Galgano, Faheid, Jan. 28). The school district director Adrienne Battke further goes states more on enhancing security measures due to the tragedy. “As we’ve seen a heightened sense around the safety and security in our schools, both with external (and) internal threats, we are evolving technologies that will help us enhance the safety and security measures within our schools” (Tsui, Boyette, Alvarado, Galgano, Faheid, Jan. 28).
It was later put out that the suspect live-streamed himself inside the school minutes before shots took place. The video was posted to an Australian streaming platform named Kick. In the video the suspect is shown wearing black boots, and attempts to open a door, after failing to do so he walks away from it and past a vending machine.
A statement was released by Kick stating the account and video are banned from accessing. Kicks statement further says, “Violence has no place on Kick. We are actively working with law enforcement and taking all appropriate steps to support their investigation” (Tsui, Boyette, Alvarado, Galgano, Faheid, Jan. 28).
The suspects Kick account read “you already failed to stop what’s happening”.
Metro Nashville police came out with a statement after examining Henderson social media accounts. It was found to have concerning online writings and social media posts. Two document were also found one containing 51-pages while the was 288-pages.
“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. The FBI is working closely with the MNPD in the ideological influences portion of this investigation” (Tsui, Boyette, Alvarado, Galgano, Faheid, Jan. 28).
The suspects social media posts and videos posed show a history of racism, antisemitic, and violent beliefs. The online documents were found to show long rambles of his views on race, religion, and society. The documents also include the layout of the school, and a details plan.
The posts also show that Henderson was inspired by a school shooting that recently took place by the shooters Natalie “Samantha” Rupnow and Colt Gray. In his writing it mentions connections on online messaging platforms, but those have not yet been confirmed.
After the attack, Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell makes a statement at a vigil held at Antioch Church Wednesday that evening stating, “We grieve together tonight as a city. We responded together earlier today. We have to respond tomorrow amidst the chaos. We feel frustration and anguish. We heal together. Our communities deserve better. I have two daughters and they should be safe and feel safe” (Tsui, Boyette, Alvarado, Galgano, Faheid, Jan. 28).
