Here's a rewritten version of your text: **"AI weapon detection system at Antioch High School failed to identify a firearm in Nashville shooting incident."** Let me know if you'd like further edits or additional context.

 A district official stated that the system failed to detect the shooter's handgun due to the placement of the cameras within the school.

Families wait at a unification site Wednesday after a shooting at Antioch High School in Nashville, Tenn.

Jan. 24, 2025, 3:32 AM GMT+6 / Updated Jan. 24, 2025, 7:03 AM GMT+6

A weapon detection system powered by artificial intelligence failed to identify the handgun used by a 17-year-old student in a shooting at Antioch High School in Nashville, Tennessee, on Wednesday. The incident resulted in the death of a 16-year-old girl, officials reported.

The software, known as Omnilert, did not detect the weapon due to the positioning of the school's cameras, according to Sean Braisted, spokesperson for Metro Nashville Public Schools, during a Thursday news conference. However, the system was triggered when police drew their weapons during their response to the shooting.

Omnilert integrates with existing school camera networks and employs AI technology to detect weapons. Braisted explained that the shooter's proximity to the cameras made it difficult for the system to identify the weapon, saying, "The location of the shooter and the firearm meant that the weapon was not visible." Omnilert CEO Dave Fraser emphasized in an email, "This is not a case of the firearm not being recognized by the system."

Metro Nashville Public Schools Director Adrienne Battle highlighted the limitations of such systems, noting, "There is not one system that is 100% going to capture everything that a person may have on them." According to Omnilert's website, the system transforms security cameras into tools that detect firearms and trigger alerts, aiming to protect lives while reducing the costs associated with gun violence.

“These systems are designed to work with visible items captured on camera,” Braisted said. “While effective, they cannot account for every scenario or location, which is why additional safety protocols are in place.”

Beyond Omnilert, Antioch High School employs multiple layers of security, including AI at the front entrance, security vestibules, and school resource officers. “All of these measures work together as a system,” Braisted added. “But one system alone is not sufficient to ensure complete safety. Broader community issues, such as how a 17-year-old accessed a weapon, also need to be addressed.”

Experts have pointed out the limitations of relying heavily on high-tech solutions. Donald Maye, head of operations at surveillance research firm IPVM, commented, “School districts often invest heavily in these technologies, but there are still scenarios where they may fail to prevent violence.”

Amy Klinger, director of programs for the Educator’s School Safety Network, stressed the importance of building trust among students, teachers, and administrators to identify potential threats early. “In most cases, there are warning signs—behaviors, conversations, or social media posts—that could raise concerns if someone is paying attention,” Klinger said. “Technology can complement these efforts, but it cannot replace them.”

Some questioned why metal detectors were not used at the school. Battle explained that research shows mixed results regarding their effectiveness. “There are unintended consequences to metal detectors, particularly regarding the learning environment we want for students,” she said. “We want students’ first interactions at school to be with their principals, teachers, and peers.”

The motive behind the shooting remains unclear. Nashville Police Chief John Drake revealed that investigators are examining online materials believed to be connected to the shooter, identified as Solomon Henderson. The shooter died by suicide following the attack.