Investigations into the tragic shooting at Antioch High School in Nashville, Tennessee, have uncovered disturbing online writings linked to the 17-year-old gunman. These writings reportedly include racist and antisemitic remarks, images of a handgun, and expressions of admiration for perpetrators of mass violence.

Authorities are meticulously examining these online materials in an attempt to understand the motivation behind the attack, which claimed the life of 16-year-old Josselin Corea Escalante and injured a 17-year-old boy before the shooter took his own life.

The Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) stated that the investigation has not yet established a direct link between the shooter and the victims, suggesting they may have been targeted randomly in the school cafeteria.

News reports indicate that the writings, allegedly posted on a social media account belonging to the identified gunman, contained a map of Antioch High School, pictures of a handgun, and a flyer from a neo-Nazi white supremacist group that had been present in Nashville during the previous summer.

The content has been described as antisemitic, and the gunman allegedly wrote about contemplating violence for several months. Disturbingly, the writings also reportedly included an image of the shooter responsible for the Covenant School tragedy in Nashville earlier in 2023, along with expressions of praise for other mass shooters.

Metro Nashville Police Department responding to the scene at Antioch High School. (X/ @MNPDNashville)

The live-streaming platform Kick confirmed that the attack was partially livestreamed on their service. They have since banned the account and removed the video, stating that violence has no place on their platform and pledging cooperation with law enforcement.

Student and family member leaving Antioch High School after the shooting. (AP/George Walker IV)

According to the MNPD, two school resource officers assigned to Antioch High School were in a different part of the building when the shooting began. They immediately responded to the cafeteria but arrived shortly after the shooter had taken his own life.

The aftermath of the shooting at Antioch High School. (AP/George Walker IV)

Nashville Police Chief John Drake expressed condolences to the students, parents, and staff of Antioch High School, assuring them that officers and counselors would be available to support the healing process in the coming days and weeks.