NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV/Gray News) – Two parents in Tennessee are mourning the loss of their daughter after she was killed in a high school shooting.
EN ESPAÑOL: “Ella era mis ojos y nunca más la volveré a ver”, dice el padre de Josselin
Authorities said 16-year-old Josselin Corea Escalante was shot and killed in the cafeteria of Antioch High School on Wednesday morning by 17-year-old Solomon Henderson.
“I want to remember my daughter alive, having her by my side,” father German Corea said through a translator. “Sadly, it’s impossible.”
After hearing about the shooting on Wednesday, her parents rushed to the school and saw medics trying to save their daughter’s life on the way to the hospital.
However, she was already dead when they got to the hospital.
Corea said he’s still trying to understand why his daughter was a victim of this shooting. She had never been in trouble at the school and was kind to everyone.
“She was my eyes,” her father said through a translator. “Wherever I was going, she was coming with me. She was very close to me. I feel so bad because I am never going to see my daughter again.”
Josselin’s family is originally from Guatemala but they moved from Boston to Nashville three years ago.
They were concerned about Antioch High School’s safety because it did not have metal detectors.
Corea said the school didn’t want to waste time searching every student coming into the building. He’s hopeful more safety measures will be added to keep other families from experiencing this pain.
Josselin’s cousin, Brianna Jose Gutierrez, was taking a test at her Atlanta high school when she got a call from her mom about the shooting.
“It’s really heartbreaking because school is supposed to be our safe spot,” Jose Gutierrez said. “For people to bring weapons to school, it’s not ok.”
The family’s home is filled with photos from Josselin’s quinceañera. Relatives, like Jose Gutierrez, have traveled from across the country to mourn together.
They’ve started a GoFundMe to help cover the funeral costs and other expenses.
The investigation has determined there was no connection between the gunman and the victims.
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