NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee (CFMT) is gathering funds to support students, staff and families impacted by the shooting at Antioch High School.
On Thursday, Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell, MNPS Director of Schools Dr. Adrienne Battle, CMFT CEO Hal Cato, Nashville Fire Chief William Swann and MNPS Chief of Communications Sean Braisted gathered to announced the creation of the Nashville School Violence Support and Healing Fund.
Funds collected will reportedly go directly to victims’ families, those who were injured and to faculty and students who are experiencing emotional trauma following the Antioch High School shooting.
The shooting happened Wednesday just after 11 a.m. when 17-year-old Solomon Henderson fired shots inside the school’s cafeteria, killing 16-year-old Josselin Corea Escalante.
Flags over the state capitol building were flown at half-staff Thursday in memory of Escalante, according to Gov. Bill Lee.
Officials said two students were also injured during the incident. One of the students reportedly sustained a gunshot graze to the arm and has since been released from the hospital. Meanwhile, another student was treated for an eye injury that is believed to have occurred after the shooting.
Mayor O’Connell said the fund is a new, charitable fund that will address mass violence incidents on school grounds or during school events in Davidson County.
The CMFT added they are working with Dr. Battle and her team to set up a committee of Antioch parents and community members who will then decide how the funds are distributed.
During the Thursday press conference, Battle said she’s been in close contact with school leaders to determine how they can support students and staff in the short-term and what steps they can take in the future to add to their existing safety protocols.
“While we have some next steps regarding safety at Antioch and across the district, we are still working to firm up our plans and we’ll announce once those details are finalized,” explained Battle.
In addition to the community fund, O’Connell said Metro has joined the school district in compiling a number of resources for the community. A list of those resources can be found at nashville.gov.
To donate to the Nashville School Violence Support and Healing Fund, click here.
