(The Center Square) – Tennessee state Rep. Jason Powell wants school shootings and gun violence addressed in a special session that begins Monday.
The Nashville Democrat’s request comes after Solomon Henderson, a 17-year-old student at Nashville’s Antioch High School, fired shots at the school’s cafeteria, killing Josselin Corea Escalante and wounding another student.
Solomon used a 9-millimeter pistol, Metro Nashville Police said in a statement. How the teenager obtained the gun is still under investigation.
Henderson died after shooting himself in the head, police said. Before the shooting, Henderson posted pictures to social media websites.
Police are investigating two documents Henderson posted on “nontraditional” social media.
“It is clear that Henderson was significantly influenced by web-based material, especially that found on nontraditional sites that most would find harmful and objectionable,” Nashville police said.
Powell sent a letter to Gov. Bill Lee on Thursday.
“Our classrooms should be sacred places to learn, and students, teachers, administrators and parents should feel the greatest sense of safety in every school in Tennessee,” Powell, who represents parts of the Antioch community, said in his letter.
Lee ordered flags flown at half-staff in honor of Escalante on Thursday.
As of Friday morning, Lee had not announced any changes to the special session, which he called to consider school choice, disaster relief and an immigration package.
