NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — As Tennessee lawmakers return to Nashville on Monday for a special legislative session, students will rally at the State Capitol to call on them to address gun violence following another deadly school shooting in the state.
Less than a week ago, on Jan. 22, a 17-year-old student at Antioch High School shot and killed 16-year-old Josselin Corea Escalante and injured another student when he reportedly opened fire in the cafeteria. The shooter was later identified as Solomon Henderson, who died after shooting himself in the head, according to police.
In a press release, student organizers said the rally calls on state leaders to add gun legislation to the list of topics to be addressed during the special session. The release proposed adding measures such as background checks, red flag laws and mandatory waiting periods.
State Representatives Jason Powell (D-Nashville) and Gloria Johnson (D-Knoxville) are expected to speak at the event. Powell, who represents parts of Antioch, has already asked Governor Bill Lee to address “the epidemic of school shootings, gun violence, and hate in Tennessee” during the special session.
Attendees will also hear remarks from Covenant School mom Sarah Shoop Neumann and Antioch High School student Rafi Niazi.
Rally organizer Hannah Mosher addressed the significance of the latest Tennessee school shooting from a student’s perspective.
“Josselin Corea Escalante’s death was preventable, as were the seven deaths at The Covenant School in 2023. It is well within the power of the General Assembly to permanently end school shootings, and it is beyond revolting that they are normalized to the point where children have to be trained to respond to a shooter as conventionally as a tornado. The rights of students are in jeopardy– those to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We must take legislative action now to prevent any further deaths as a result of irresponsible gun ownership in Tennessee.”
Hannah Mosher
The release noted that the rally would not be sponsored by any organization and would represent a movement of people advocating for gun law reform. The rally will be held Monday, Jan. 27 on the Capitol steps from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
