A chilling manifesto reportedly posted online by Antioch High School shooter Solomon Henderson before the November 18 shooting offers a disturbing insight into his mindset. The 17-year-old's 47-page document, believed to be linked to his social media account, was shared just hours before the shooting occurred at the Tennessee school.
In the manifesto, Henderson outlined his reasons for the attack, revealing a dark combination of personal struggles and extremist ideologies. The document, which included maps of the school, photos of weapons he intended to use, and a detailed account of his intentions, paints a deeply troubling picture. The final writings came on the same day the Metro Nashville Police Department received a false report of a school shooting at Antioch High, which was later identified as a hoax.
“I was so miserable. I wanted to kill myself. I just couldn’t take anymore. I am a worthless subhuman, a living, breathing disgrace,” Henderson reportedly wrote in the manifesto. His writings continued with disturbing expressions of alienation, particularly about race. Henderson allegedly stated that he was “ashamed to be black,” and used anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim language. The document also contained a flyer promoting the Goyim Defense League, a neo-Nazi group that had visited Nashville earlier that year.
The manifesto revealed that Henderson found inspiration from controversial figures such as Candace Owens, Nick Fuentes, Kanye West, and even YouTube star Mr. Beast. He expressed a disturbing admiration for infamous shooters, including Audrey Hale, the Covenant School shooter, and Thomas Matthew Crooks, a would-be assassin.
Henderson’s writings also outlined his warped views on crime, suggesting that the perception of a criminal's appearance and demeanor could determine how society judges them. “Even the very worst of criminal acts are forgiven by simply looking good. Or cool,” he wrote, adding that he planned to improve his physical appearance to "fit the part."
The manifesto's question-and-answer section revealed Henderson’s indifference toward law enforcement, stating that he had no plans to harm officers. He also denied being bullied in the traditional sense, instead claiming he was “bullied in the cultural sense, which everyone is bullied in.”
He specifically targeted Antioch High, describing it as a “daycare” and criticizing the school system for stifling independent thought. “School is a daycare,” he wrote, “It’s impossible for you to actually think.” He also espoused conspiracy theories, including claims that the school was run by a “Zionist government” and denied the Holocaust.
In his manifesto, Henderson revealed his ultimate goal was to create a “better, neater, cleaner world” by eliminating what he referred to as “undesirables.” He expressed a desire to “burn this entire world to the ground and rebuild from the beginning,” even mentioning that he planned to end his life by live-streaming his death.
The shooter’s actions came to fruition when he arrived at the school the morning of the shooting. According to police, Henderson entered a bathroom, retrieved a weapon, and confronted 16-year-old Josselin Corea Escalante, shooting him multiple times before turning the gun on himself. Another student was grazed by a bullet and treated at Vanderbilt University Hospital, while a fourth student sustained injuries in the chaos but was not shot.
The shooting was reportedly live-streamed on Henderson’s social media, and he had previously mentioned saving up for a GoPro camera to document his attack. Authorities are still investigating the online materials linked to Henderson, though Nashville Police Chief John Drake confirmed that the department is looking into these resources. "There are some materials on the internet that we’re looking at, that’s under investigation," Drake said.
While police have not yet officially confirmed whether the manifesto was Henderson’s, they continue to investigate the disturbing contents found online. The tragic event has left the community reeling, raising questions about warning signs and the responsibility of those who encounter such extremist content.