A source familiar with Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) told The Tennessee Star on Wednesday that metal detectors were previously installed at Antioch High School some time during the COVID-19 pandemic, but that they were removed sometime prior to the January 22 shooting that saw two dead and two injured.
The source told The Star that the metal detectors were installed sometime around 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting they could have been obtained by MNPS using federal pandemic relief funding, but that they were removed for unclear reasons over the intervening years.
Asked about the reported metal detectors, Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) spokesman Don Aaron referred The Star to a Wednesday afternoon press conference held outside the school, during which MNPD superintendent Dr. Adrienne Battle referenced such devices.
After a reporter asked whether metal detectors were present at Antioch High School, the superintendent replied, “While past research has shown they have had limitations and unintended consequences, we will continue to explore emerging technologies and strategies to strengthen school safety.”
The Star contacted Battle to confirm whether the school installed and later removed the metal detectors, but did not receive a response prior to press time.
During an earlier press conference, Aaron said he could not definitively comment on the presence of the devices at Antioch High School, but told reporters, “I did not see any metal detectors.”
The killer was identified by police as 17-year-old Solomon Henderson. Police say he killed 16-year-old Josselin Correa Escalante, and injured another student in the gunfire, prior to turning the gun on himself. A fourth student was injured, but not by the gunfire.
Aaron confirmed that two School Resource Officers (SROs) were present at the school during the shooting, but said that they were not near the cafeteria when it took place. They reportedly arrived on the scene after Henderson took his own life.
A manifesto purportedly left online by Henderson, who was black, contained antisemitic and racist rants, and reportedly claimed the killer was inspired by antisemitic political pundits on both sides of the political spectrum.
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Pennsylvania Daily Star and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Antioch High School” by Metro Nashville Public Schools.
so they probably took them out because ‘racism’ and two end up dead.
so will they release this manifesto? Had metal detectors there and took them away? Get rid of the DEI and get a new leader.
Racist writings? Look for them to be released real soon. Don’t try to blame this on Dixie.