NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — After two were killed in a shooting at Antioch High School, the community is coming together to pray and try to heal.
The Antioch Community Healing Gathering is planned for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, at the Hamilton United Methodist Church, according to Metro Councilmember At-Large Delishia Porterfield announced on Facebook. She and Councilmember Deonté Harrell, who represents a portion of Antioch, have partnered with the church and United Family Fellowship to offer those in the community a place to heal together.
“With the news, we see this, but when it happens right here, that hurts so much more deeply,” Harrell said at the event. “…No parent should have to send their child off to school and worry about if they’re going to come home.”
The gathering was called in response to the shooting that took place Wednesday morning, claiming the life of 16-year-old Josselin Excalante. The shooter, identified as 17-year-old Solomon Henderson, also died. Police said he shot himself in the head.
“It’s sad that we have to come together under these pretenses, but…I see so many people that care so much,” Melissa Alvarez with the Tennessee Hispanic Action Network said at the event. “…I’m sorry to everybody. I am also a mother to three kids in Metro schools. It’s scary.”
Leaders from multiple faith communities also spoke at the vigil, including Reverend Rachel Booker, who led a moment of silence, as did parents affected by the Covenant School shooting in 2023.
Porterfield said her “heart goes out to the victims, their families, and all those affected by this senseless act,” in a statement issued on her official Facebook page.
“It always feels like we’re not doing enough, but I promise you that as a city, we’re doing everything we can to try to make sure that these tragedies do not continue to happen,” Porterfield said at the event. “And it is only when we come together as a community, when we lift each other up, when we hold hands, when we pray together…that we acknowledge that we are stronger together and we are better together.”
