The 17-year-old Nashville school shooter, Solomon Henderson, who killed a teenage girl and then turned the gun on himself, had a history of hateful online postings. According to the Anti-Defamation League, Henderson appeared to be a “self-loathing incel” and expressed troubling views in a manifesto and on social media. He was influenced by incel forums, where people of color are told that the only reason they are incels is because of their race, pushing them towards extreme ideologies. Henderson also posted anti-black and antisemitic content, indicating internalized racism.
Metro Nashville police are investigating Henderson’s online writings and social media posts to determine a motive for the attack at Antioch High School where 16-year-old Josselin Corea Escalante was fatally shot in the cafeteria. Another student was also grazed in the arm. Henderson then took his own life before a confrontation with police. Online materials reviewed by outlets showed Henderson expressing shame in his race and posting antisemitic writings. He also had a layout of Antioch High School, photos of handguns, and cartridges.
Henderson posted a flyer from the Goyim Defense League, a neo-Nazi white supremacy group, and expressed feelings of worthlessness and embarrassment. He also praised Adolf Hitler and had a photo of the Covenant School shooter who killed six people in 2023 before killing herself. Purported writings by Henderson revealed statements against race-mixing and a desire for revenge on society. The ADL Center on Extremism reviewed Henderson’s manifesto and social media posts, as well as his participation in a forum promoting white supremacy and accelerationism.
In addition to his involvement in white supremacy forums, Henderson was part of a gore forum where mass killers are often celebrated. The shooter partially livestreamed the shooting on the online platform Kick. Kick stated that violence has no place on their platform and they are actively working with law enforcement to support the investigation. The ADL’s investigation into Henderson’s online activity revealed a troubling pattern of self-loathing and adherence to extremist ideologies. Henderson’s writings and posts indicated his deep-seated feelings of worthlessness, shame, and a desire to seek revenge on society.
The tragic shooting at Antioch High School shed light on the dangerous influence of online communities that promote hate and bigotry. Henderson’s participation in incel and white supremacy forums, as well as his celebration of mass killers on gore forums, highlights the need for greater scrutiny of online platforms. The ADL’s findings have raised concerns about the radicalization and extremist ideologies that can flourish online, leading to real-world violence. As the investigation into Henderson’s motives continues, it is essential to address the root causes of hate and violence in order to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
In conclusion, Solomon Henderson’s actions and online presence have revealed a disturbing trend of self-loathing and adherence to extremist ideologies. His involvement in incel and white supremacy forums, as well as his celebration of mass killers on gore forums, reflect a dangerous pattern of radicalization. The tragic shooting at Antioch High School underscores the need for greater awareness of the influence of online communities that promote hate and violence. By addressing the root causes of extremism and working to combat online radicalization, we can strive to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.
