(The Center Square) – A student was shot to death in the cafeteria at Nashville’s Antioch High School and the 17-year-old shooter is dead after turning the gun on himself, according to the Metro Nashville Police Department.
Another student was also shot and is being treated, police spokesman Don Aaron told reporters at the scene. The shooter had a pistol, he said.
The school announced it was on lockdown at around 11:30 a.m. CDT in a Facebook post. By 12:15 p.m., students were being bussed to a reunification site at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital.
The shooting drew response from state lawmakers.
“Our hearts are broken for the families who lost their children today and we hold the young woman who was injured and all the students and families impacted by today’s gun violence in our hearts,” said House Democratic Caucus Chairman John Ray Clemmons. The sad reality is that there are policies that we could have implemented and should implement to better prevent each and every one of those specific acts that resulted in the loss of life today. For my colleagues who think that inaction is acceptable, I would simply ask you to put yourself in the shoes of the parent whose child isn’t coming home from school today.”
Gov. Bill Lee said in a post shortly after the shooting that he had been briefed on the situation.
“As we await more information, I join Tennesseans in praying for the victims, their families & the school community,” Lee said.
U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Nashville, said in a social media post he was monitoring the situation.
“Please join me in lifting up in prayer those who were injured, their families, and the entire Antioch High School community,” Ogles said.
Sen. Charlane Oliver, D-Nashville, represents the district where the school is located.
“My heart goes out to the victims who were shot, their loved ones, and everyone impacted by this horrific act of violence,” Oliver said. “No child should ever feel unsafe in their school, and no family should face the anguish of such a senseless loss.”
This is the second school shooting in Nashville in less than two years. In March of 2023 three students and a teacher were killed. The shooter was killed by police.
