A 17-year-old shooter named Solomon Henderson killed a 16-year-old girl, Josselin Corea Escalante, at Antioch High School in Nashville on January 22, 2025, before turning the gun on himself. Investigators are looking into his online writings and social media posts, which are raising serious concerns about his possible motives. According to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), Henderson’s online activity shows troubling beliefs linked to extreme ideologies, including racism and antisemitism.
Henderson’s posts suggest that he felt hatred for himself and others. He is believed to have been influenced by “incel” (involuntary celibate) communities, where people often express resentment and self-loathing. These forums sometimes blame people of color for their personal struggles, leading some to adopt more dangerous, hateful views. The ADL reports that Henderson shared racist content, including antisemitic posts and messages against interracial relationships, which might have been fueled by feelings of internalized racism.
In addition to these views, Henderson’s posts included disturbing messages about his own worthlessness and depression. He described feelings of self-hatred and misery, claiming he wanted to end his life. He also made comments about his dissatisfaction with his life and his isolation from others, suggesting that he felt abandoned by his friends.
Before the attack, Henderson allegedly shared a layout of the school, pictures of guns, and other harmful content online. He also posted about Adolf Hitler and praised violent acts from past school shootings, including a tragic shooting in Covenant School in 2023. His manifesto revealed a desire to take revenge on society for the way he felt treated, even expressing support for white supremacist groups like the Goyim Defense League.
The shooting was partially livestreamed on the platform Kick, and the company has since stated that it is working with law enforcement to support the investigation. The tragedy at Antioch High School is a reminder of the harmful impact of online hate and extremist ideologies, which can fuel violent actions. Authorities continue to investigate Henderson’s social media activity to better understand the motivations behind this heartbreaking event.
