Nashville shooter’s manifesto reveals links to Candace Owens and Hitler as influences

The tragic school shooting at Antioch High School in Nashville has taken a darker turn as authorities investigate a manifesto allegedly penned by the shooter, 17-year-old Solomon Henderson. The writings provide a disturbing look into his mindset, citing inspiration from controversial figures like Candace Owens, Adolf Hitler, and far-right influencer Nick Fuentes.

Henderson fatally shot 16-year-old Josselin Corea Escalante, injured another student, and turned the gun on himself during the attack on Wednesday morning, partially streamed online. Moments before the shooting, he ominously posted, “Today is a good day to die,” on his BlueSky account.

The manifesto reveals Henderson’s struggles with racial identity, his admiration for Nazi ideology, and a chilling fixation on violence. He wrote, “Candace Owens has influenced me above all… her views helped push me further into the belief of violence over the Jewish question.”

Photos surfaced of Henderson making a Nazi salute, while his writings praised Hitler and detailed plans for the attack, including images of his weapons and advice he received online.

The document also delves into Henderson’s frustration with school, calling it “daycare” and criticizing its structure. “In school, we’re taught to wake up early, shut up, sit for long periods, do tasks you hate, then repeat,” he wrote.

The manifesto’s inclusion of Owens and other public figures has drawn sharp reactions. Owens denied any connection, labeling the document a “troll” and stating, “It is sickening that people would use the death of a young 16-year-old girl to try to quickly score political points.”

Authorities continue to investigate the motive, with Metro Nashville Police Department confirming the writings are central to understanding Henderson’s actions. Survivors of the attack described the terror as Henderson opened fire in the cafeteria, leaving another student with a graze wound and injuring a fourth during the chaos.

This tragic incident has reignited debates on gun control, the influence of online radicalization, and the role of controversial public figures in shaping ideologies.