A shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville has left six people dead, including three children and three adults. The shooter, a 28-year-old white male from the Nashville area, was shot dead by police officers who responded to the scene. The incident has shocked the community and left many people wondering how such a senseless act of violence could happen.
Details of the Shooting
According to Nashville police spokesperson Don Aaron, the shooting took place on Monday morning. The shooter entered the school through a side entrance and made his way from the first floor to the second floor, firing multiple shots. The first call to the police came in at 10:13 a.m.
Victims of the Shooting
The victims of the shooting were identified as three children and three adults. The children, all students at The Covenant School, were Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs, and William Kinney, all age 9. The adults who lost their lives were Cynthia Peak, age 61, Katherine Koonce, age 60, and Mike Hill, age 61. Koonce served as the head of the school, according to the school’s website.
Shooter’s Identity
Initially, the police identified the shooter as a woman. However, it was later revealed that the shooter was assigned female at birth but used he/him pronouns. The shooter was a 28-year-old white male from the Nashville area.
Community Response
The shooting has left the Nashville community in shock and mourning. The Covenant School released a statement expressing their condolences to the families of the victims and thanking law enforcement for their quick response.
The shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville is a tragic reminder of the senseless violence that can occur in our society. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims and the Nashville community as they grieve this terrible loss. We must work together to find solutions to prevent these types of tragedies from happening in the future.
Nashville Police Release Details of the Shooting and the Shooter’s Weapons
Nashville police have released new information about the tragic shooting at The Covenant School, which claimed the lives of six people, including three children and three adults. According to police, the shooter, identified as Audrey Hale, entered the building by shooting out the glass in a door. Once on the second floor, the shooter fired at arriving police vehicles from a window.
Weapons Used by the Shooter
The shooter had two assault-style rifles and one pistol, which were obtained legally, authorities said. The shooting took place in a “lobby-type area” in an upper part of the school. Police have not released any information about a potential motive for the shooting.
Shooter’s Preparation
Audrey Hale had maps drawn of the school and its entry points and was “prepared for a confrontation with law enforcement,” according to Nashville Police Chief John Drake. Hale had no criminal history.
Reaction from the Community
The shooting has left the Nashville community in shock and mourning. Police have notified the parents of the children who were killed. Nashville Police Chief John Drake expressed his sadness, saying, “I was literally moved to tears to see this and the kids as they were being ushered out of the building.”
Five Victims Transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Following the tragic shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville, at least five victims were transported to emergency departments at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. A spokesperson for the hospital confirmed to NPR that three children and two adults sent to the hospital had died as a result of their injuries.
The Nashville community continues to mourn this devastating loss, and our thoughts are with the families of the victims during this difficult time. It is important that we come together to support each other and work towards preventing these senseless acts of violence from happening in the future.
No Other Gunshot Victims, Responding Officer Injured from Cut Glass
According to Don Aaron, a spokesperson for the Nashville Police Department, there were no other gunshot victims aside from the six fatalities in the shooting at The Covenant School. However, a responding officer sustained a wound from cut glass.
In the wake of this tragic event, a reunification center has been set up for parents and students nearby. Mental health specialists are available to provide support and assistance.
The Covenant School is a private school affiliated with the Covenant Presbyterian Church, catering to students from preschool through sixth grade. On a typical day, the school would have approximately 209 students and 42 staff members, according to Aaron. Our hearts go out to the entire community as they navigate through this difficult time.
Tragedy struck Nashville, Tennessee on Monday as a private religious school fell victim to a senseless shooting. Six people, including three children and three adults, lost their lives in the attack. The shooter, identified as a 28-year-old white male from the area, was later killed by police officers. Initial reports identified the shooter as a woman, but authorities later confirmed that the individual was assigned female at birth and used he/him pronouns.
The shooting occurred at The Covenant School, where the victims included students and staff members. The victims were identified as Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs, William Kinney, Cynthia Peak, Katherine Koonce, and Mike Hill. The shooter reportedly entered the school through a side entrance and made his way to the second floor, firing multiple shots along the way. Two of the three guns used in the attack were obtained legally, authorities said.
Nashville Police Chief John Drake described the shooter as a former student who was “prepared for a confrontation with law enforcement” and had maps of the school and its entry points. The motive for the attack remains unknown.
Several victims were taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where three children and two adults were pronounced dead. A responding police officer sustained an injury from cut glass but no other gunshot victims were reported. Mental health specialists were available at a nearby reunification center for parents and students.
The Covenant School is a private school affiliated with the Covenant Presbyterian Church, serving students from preschool through sixth grade. On an average day, the school has about 209 students and 42 staff members.
The shooting sparked grief and outrage from officials and the community. Mayor John Cooper expressed his condolences and said Nashville had joined a long list of cities and towns affected by school shootings. State Rep. Bob Freeman and State Sen. Jeff Yarbro, who represent Nashville, both expressed their heartbreak and called for action to prevent such tragedies from happening in the future.
The incident also caught the attention of President Joe Biden, who condemned the shooting and called for more efforts to stop gun violence in the country. According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been 130 mass shootings in the U.S. so far this year, highlighting the urgent need for effective action to address this issue.
