On Wednesday morning, a tragic shooting occurred at Antioch High School, resulting in the death of two students and an injury to a third. On Wednesday evening, the community gathered for a vigil to remember and honor the victim fatally wounded by another student and the families of all involved.
Mayor Freddie O’Connell shared, “First and foremost, we extend our deepest sympathies to the families of these two students and offer our full support to them moving forward. We grieve together. We heal together. And I hope we can respond together.”
The following are mental health resources and the latest information on the investigation and plans from Metro Schools.
Mental Health Resources
The following resources are available any time to any Nashvillian. They are especially valuable during times of great duress such as the Antioch community endured on Wednesday. Metro Schools will continue to communicate specific resources for students and staff of Antioch High School as they are finalized.
- Anyone experiencing a mental health crisis in Nashville can always call the statewide hotline: 988.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness is available with resources at [email protected] or by calling 615-891-4724.
- The Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress offers resources to help both yourself and someone experiencing an acute stress reaction. CSTSOnline.org has a series of distributable resources for communities in need.
- The Southeast Community Center is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, January 23, 2025. Food and counseling resources will be available to anyone in need. Metro Schools staff is also on hand to answer any questions Antioch High School families might have.
- Licensed mental health clinicians offering services in English and Spanish at no cost will be available starting at 9 a.m. at the Woodbine Public Health Center.
- Walk-in counseling sessions will be available to the public on Thursday at the clinic at 224 Oriel Avenue. Based on demand, walk-in service availability could be expanded to Friday. Additional resources will be made available to the community as well. Insurance is not required for behavioral health services at the Metro Public Health Department.
- Appointments for mental health services can be made by calling 615-340-2712. Mental health services are offered at the East Public Health Centre and the Lentz Public Health Center by appointment or as walk-ins allow. In addition to access to mental health clinicians conducting counseling sessions in English and Spanish, interpretation services are available for all Metro Public Health Department services.
The Latest from the Director of Schools
On Wednesday evening, Dr. Adrienne Battle, Director of Metro Nashville Public Schools, sent the following message to school families.
“We mourn the heartbreaking loss of two Antioch High School students in a tragic shooting incident. One student took their own life and the life of a peer, leaving our entire MNPS community grieving alongside their families and loved ones. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this unimaginable loss.
We are grateful for the swift response of Antioch High School staff, the Nashville Police Department, and the Nashville Fire Department, who acted quickly to ensure no additional harm. This tragedy remains under investigation, and we are committed to understanding how to prevent such incidents in the future.
Antioch High School will be closed for the rest of the week to allow time for grieving. Counselors and support staff will be available at all schools starting tomorrow to assist students and staff in need.
Safety is our highest priority. While we have implemented a range of measures, including security cameras and weapon detection software, shatter-resistant film, and partnerships with law enforcement, we continue to evaluate and enhance our strategies to create safe learning environments for all students.
Our schools are places of learning, growth, and community, and we remain committed to supporting all MNPS families during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Dr. Adrienne Battle
Superintendent
Metro Nashville Public Schools
The Latest on the Investigation
The Metro Nashville Police Department will continue to publish updates on their investigation as more information becomes available. On Wednesday night, MNPD published the following update:
Investigation Continuing into Today’s Shooting In Antioch High School’s Cafeteria (January 22, 2025)
First appeared on www.nashville.gov