Three children are dead along with three adults following a school shooting at the Covenant School in Nashville’s Green Hills neighborhood.
Metro Police say the 6 victims include Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs, and William Kinney, all age 9, Cynthia Peak, age 61, Katherine Koonce, age 60, and Mike Hill, age 61. Monday afternoon police also identified the shooter as 28-year-old Audrey Hale, a prior student at the school.
“We know that she was armed with at least two assault type rifles and a handgun,” said Metro Police spokesperson Don Aaron.
Metro Police say the shooter initially entered the school through a side entrance and then made her way to the second floor. Police say all doors in the school were locked and they aren’t sure how the shooter was able to break in.
Aaron says a team of five officers heard gunfire when they arrived at the school and engaged the shooter on the second floor at 10:27 AM, just fourteen minutes after police received the initial call.
“When the officers got to the second level they saw a shooter, a female who was firing. The officers engaged her. She was fatally shot by responding police officers,” said Aaron.
Covenant School is operated by Covenant Presbyterian Church.
Police say the school would have just over 200 students in the building on a typical day and roughly 40 staff members.
Aaron says only one officer was injured responding to the shooting. That officer received a hand injury after he was cut by glass.
Shock, Grief, and Prayers
The shooting has brought in a wave of reactions from Nashville and across the state.
“In a tragic morning, Nashville joined the dreaded, long list of communities to experience a school shooting. My heart goes out to the families of the victims. Our entire city stands with you. As facts continue to emerge, I thank our first responders and medical professionals,” wrote Nashville Mayor John Cooper on his Twitter page.
Covenant School is not a part of Metro Nashville Public Schools, but MNPS Director Dr. Adrienne Battle released a statement of support for those impacted.
“As a parent, as an educator, as a human being, I’m grieving today over the tragic murder of children and school staff right here in our community. My heart goes out to the entire Covenant School community and the parents grieving the unimaginable loss of life today,” said Dr. Battle. “We have been in close contact with the MNPD throughout the day, and we are providing whatever support we can to assist in their response. This is a traumatic event for the entire community, and our student support services team will be working to help our students and staff process this situation in the days to come.”
Governor Bill Lee also tweeted out support and assurances that state resources are being deployed to assist Metro Nashville.
“I am closely monitoring the tragic situation at Covenant, & the Tennessee Department of Safety & Tennessee Highway Patrol are assisting local law enforcement & first responders at the scene. As we continue to respond, please join us in praying for the school, congregation & Nashville community.,” posted Governor Bill Lee on his official Facebook page.
Both the Tennessee House and Senate are holding brief meetings tonight and postponing legislation discussion and votes that were scheduled out of respect for the families and colleagues impacted.
“No harm should ever come to any child. At some point today, please take a moment to pray for the families impacted by this tragedy. As we continue learning more details, we appreciate law enforcement and first responders for their quick response neutralizing the threat,” tweeted House Speaker Cameron Sexton.
Multiple prominent Democrats responded to the shooting on social media including Senator Raumesh Akbari who made a plea for legislative action.
“Vacillating between devastated & FURIOUS. We are already an open carry state and there is PENDING legislation to extend to 18 and include long guns. @TNSenateDems are ready to work with our colleagues across the aisle. Prayers are good, but faith without works is dead,” tweeted Memphis Senator Raumesh Akbari.
Updated 4:51PM to include the names of the victims and suspected shooter.
