Investigators say the teen behind the deadly Antioch High School shooting in Nashville may have been influenced by online extremist groups and “handlers” encouraging violence behind the scenes.
According to Metro Police, 17-year-old Solomon Henderson referenced extremist groups including Maniac Murder Cult and 764 in recordings and writings connected to the January 2025 attack that killed 16-year-old student Dayana Escalante.
Police say Henderson had been involved in multiple online chatrooms and social media platforms linked to violent extremist ideologies. Investigators believe he was exposed to harmful content for years and may have been manipulated by people pushing him toward violence.
Metro Police Capt. Chris Dickerson said investigators believe Henderson was “used as a weapon” by individuals connected to these online groups. Experts studying digital extremism also say there is little doubt people online were encouraging violent acts and reinforcing hateful beliefs.
Authorities say many of these extremist networks target young people online, sometimes grooming them through isolation, self-harm, threats, and violent propaganda. Some of the groups connected to the investigation have ties to neo-Nazi accelerationist movements that promote chaos and societal collapse.
Investigators also believe Henderson attempted to gain approval from these extremist communities by posting content online and streaming parts of the attack.
Police say they are now dedicating major resources to tracking extremist symbols, online networks, and warning signs in hopes of stopping future attacks before they happen.