Shooter and another student dead in school shooting, authorities say
One student is dead and another is wounded after a third student opened fire and then shot himself at Antioch High School outside of Nashville, Tennessee, on Wednesday, officials said.
“Three people have been [shot], including the suspect, who shot himself,” the Metro Nashville Police Department said.
Metro Nashville Public Schools added that the school is on lockdown “due to shots being fired inside the school building.”
“Metro Police are on the scene. The person responsible for the shooting is no longer a threat,” the district said. “This is an active crime scene and investigation. We will work with the MNPD to provide further updates as they become available.”
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The Metro Nashville Police Department said a shooting incident is under investigation at Antioch High School. Three people have been wounded, including the suspect, who shot himself. (X/ @MNPDNashville)
The Metro Nashville Police Department said during a press conference that a 17-year-old African American male armed with a pistol fired multiple shots in the cafeteria of the high school.
The gunman shot two female students before shooting and killing himself.
The incident happened at 11:09 a.m. local time, police said, and an active shooter call was received by 911 dispatchers at 11:11 a.m.
Police said one of the females, 16-year-old Joseelin Corea Escalante, died of her wounds, while the other, who has not been identified, is in stable condition with a graze wound to the arm.
Tennessee State Troopers and the Tennessee Office of Homeland Security Special Agents are on the scene of the Antioch High School shooting outside of Nashville. (X/ @TNHighwayPatrol)
A male student with a facial injury was also being treated, but police said he was not a gunshot victim.
The police department’s homicide division is leading the investigation, and at this time the motive is unknown, as is the origin of the handgun.
At the time of the shooting, police noted, there were two school resource officers inside the building, though they were not in the immediate vicinity of the cafeteria when the shooting happened. By the time the officers arrived in the cafeteria, the shooting had stopped, and the shooter had shot himself.
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Parents are now being told by the district that the reunification site is at the Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital – which is located down the street from the school — and that buses will be taking students there.
Antioch High School is attended by approximately 2,000 students.
Antioch High School is located outside of Nashville, Tenn. (Google Maps)
The motive for the shooting is unclear.
White House officials said President Donald Trump and his team are monitoring the situation. Additionally, the White House offered its “heartfelt thoughts and prayers” to those impacted by this senseless tragedy and thanked “the brave” first responders who responded to the incident.
State officials also commented and weighed in on the shooting.
“I’ve been briefed on the incident at Antioch High School and am grateful for law enforcement & first responders who responded quickly and continue to investigate,” Gov. Bill Lee said. “As we await more information, I join Tennesseans in praying for the victims, their families & the school community.”
The Tennessee Highway Patrol said Tennessee State Troopers and Tennessee Office of Homeland Security Special Agents are on scene assisting with the investigation. The ATF Nashville Field Division is responding as well.
