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Online writings linked to the gunman at Nashville, Tennessee’s Antioch High School include racist and antisemitic content, photos of a handgun and praise for mass murderers, a report says.
Investigators at the local, state and federal levels are combing through the writings as they try to figure out why a 17-year-old opened fire inside his Nashville-area high school Wednesday, killing Joseelin Corea Escalante, 16, and wounding a 17-year-old boy before taking his own life from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
“Homicide Unit detectives along with their law enforcement partners in the MNPD and federal/state agencies are examining very concerning online writings and social media posts connected to [the teen] as they work to establish the motive behind [the teen]’s gunfire this morning in Antioch High School’s cafeteria,” the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) said.
“The investigation to this point has not established a connection between [the teen] and the two shooting victims. It may be that they were struck by his random gunfire in the cafeteria,” police added.
A student and a family member walk away from Antioch High School following the shooting. (AP/George Walker IV)
The online streaming platform Kick said the attack was “partially livestreamed” and it has “rapidly banned the account and removed the video.”
“Violence has no place on KICK. We are actively working with law enforcement and taking all appropriate steps to support their investigation,” it said in a statement.
“They rushed to the cafeteria and arrived just after [the teen] killed himself,” police added.
The shooting inside Antioch High School left two dead, including the attacker. (AP/George Walker IV)
“On behalf of this entire police department, I extend our deep condolences to Antioch High students, parents, and staff,” Chief John Drake said in a statement. “Our officers and counselors will work to be part of the healing process in the days and weeks ahead.”
Fox News’ Christina Shaw and Greg Wehner contributed to this report.