Image Credit: Metropolitan Nashville Police Department / Facebook
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
On Tuesday, Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNSP) announced a legal settlement agreement has been approved for the family of a student who sued the district earlier this year after their daughter was killed during a school shooting at Antioch High School in January.
Around 11 a.m. on January 22, 2025, 17-year-old Solomon Henderson openly fired 17 shots in the school’s cafeteria, one bullet injuring a student and another striking and killing 16-year-old Josselin Corea Escalante. Henderson then turned the 9-millimeter pistol on himself and took his own life.
In July, Josselin’s parents filed a lawsuit alleging Henderson had been previously identified as dangerous and a “walking red flag” and that the defendants had failed in their duty to keep students safe, especially given that the firearm used by Henderson was not detected by the school’s security system or by anyone employed at the school.
Henderson had an existing school disciplinary history, which included a charge for brandishing a box cutter at another student in October and threatening teachers, and juvenile court records in both Nashville and Clarksville. He was also allegedly potentially influenced by an online hate group called the ‘Maniac Murder Cult’.
Though Escalante family originally sought $700,000 in damages in their suit, on Nov. 10 the MNPS school board unanimously approved an out-of-court settlement for $300,000, inclusive of attorney’s fees. The settlement was recommended to the board by Metro Legal Director Wally Deitz and was voted upon with no public discussion during the board’s regular meeting.
In an emailed statement, MNPS Board Chair Freda Player said, “From the first moments after this heartbreaking event, the Board of Education has worked alongside district leadership and community partners to provide support for the Antioch community and for those most deeply affected by this tragedy.”
Player maintains that though the school and district “took appropriate steps at the time”, the district is working to strengthen safety and security efforts for students and staff and the settlement “reflects our commitment to supporting the family with preventing further trauma through protracted litigation.”
As part of those increased safety efforts, Player stated the district has partnered with the Metro Nashville Police Department to increase the number of School Resource Officers at Antioch High School and highlighted the district-wide installation of AI-driven weapons detection systems in all high schools and some middle schools.
“We are grateful to the Metro Legal Department for helping to bring this resolution forward, and we once again extend our deepest condolences to Josselin’s family, friends, and all who continue to mourn her loss,” Player concluded.
This is the second settlement MNPS will have paid out in 2025, the first being a $6.5 million settlement to five former employees who claimed retaliation by Superintendent Dr. Adrienne Battle. The number was reached after a lengthy lawsuit that had been filed nearly 5 years prior and marked the biggest settlement in district history.
The district also recently came under fire again when it was discovered that Superintendent Battle’s office received a $165,000 renovation on the taxpayer dime amidst budget issues and skyrocketing property taxes.
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
