NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A tragic shooting at Antioch High School on January 22, 2025, left one student dead and another injured when a gunman opened fire inside the cafeteria before taking his own life. Sixteen-year-old Josselin “Dayana” Corea Escalante lost her life in the attack, an event that sent shockwaves through the school community and the city at large.
The chaotic scene unfolded as over 2,000 students, faculty, and staff were forced to evacuate the building. Buses were dispatched to transport students to Ascension St. Thomas Medical Pavilion, where families gathered anxiously, seeking information about their loved ones.
Caiden Taylor, a senior at the school, recalled the terrifying experience of the shooting. “People were getting trampled,” he said. “I just wanted to get to my car and wait for my brother.” Reflecting on the senseless violence, he expressed his frustration. “It’s upsetting that people lost their lives. No parent should have to worry about their child not coming home.”
Amid the panic, Tiffany Brooks rushed toward the school after receiving a distressing call from her granddaughter. “She said, ‘Mama T, they’re shooting.'” Brooks waited on a hillside, desperate for news of her granddaughter’s safety. “I just need to know she’s in one piece,” she said. Her heartache for other families who would not be reunited was palpable. “Other parents won’t have that relief tonight,” she added, visibly shaken.
Senior Candace Huff described her proximity to the shooter during the incident. She recounted the fear and confusion as she and her friends were trapped inside the school. “I didn’t know if we were next,” she remembered. The trauma left her feeling overwhelmed and vulnerable, especially without her phone to contact her mother.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, a community response emerged, with hundreds gathering that evening at Hamilton Church and United Family Fellowship for support and prayer. “We’ve got to look out for each other,” Huff urged the crowd. “Do it for your family if you can’t do it for yourself.”
The loss was especially profound for Escalante’s family, who now face a void that can never be filled. Her father expressed the depth of his grief, stating simply, “It’s not fair.” Maria, Escalante’s aunt, painted a picture of a quiet girl who excelled academically, played soccer, and was deeply loved by her family. “She was my girl,” Maria said, choking back tears.
In response to the tragic shooting, Metro Nashville Schools settled a wrongful death lawsuit with Escalante’s family last month. In an attempt to enhance safety, the district has implemented increased security measures across all campuses, including the installation of weapons detection systems at high and middle schools.
As the community begins to heal, the impact of that day remains fresh in the minds of students, families, and faculty. Grief, confusion, and a determination for safety shape the conversation moving forward, reminding everyone of the urgent need for change.