UPDATE: 3 Children, 3 Adults Dead in Nashville Elementary School Shooting

UPDATE 3/28 9:15AM EST We now know the name of the shooter who took the lives of six people at

Mar 28, 2023
Atlanta shooting
UPDATE 3/28 9:15AM EST

We now know the name of the shooter who took the lives of six people at a private Christian school in Nashville, Tennessee.

Audrey Hale, 28, was a former student of the school. Authorities identified Hale by his birth name, but Hale was transgender and used he/him pronouns at the time of his death.

According to social media posts and evidence gathered after Hale was killed in an altercation with police, he had planned to shoot multiple locations and take many more lives than he did. A friend of Hale said that she had contacted authorities about the concerning social media posts but was referred to the non-emergency line and was on hold for 7 minutes. Those 7 minutes appear to coincide closely with the time during which Hale was at the school, shooting.

Nashville police chief, Josh Drake, said that the attack was targeted rather than random, but they aren’t discussing motives yet.

The six victims are below, including three children aged 9:

  • Evelyn Dieckhaus, 9
  • William Kinney, 9
  • Hallie Scruggs, 9, daughter of the church pastor, Chad Scruggs
  • Mike Hill, 61, a school custodian
  • Cynthia Peak, 61, a substitute teacher
  • Katherine Koonce, 60, the head of school

How it Happened

The New York Times reports, “The police received a report of the shooting at 10:13 a.m. on Monday and heard gunshots on the second floor when they arrived at the school, said Don Aaron, a spokesman for the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department.

The assailant had entered the building through a side door, armed with two assault-style rifles and a handgun, and went from the first floor to the second floor firing ‘multiple shots,’ Mr. Aaron said. Officers went to the second floor, saw the assailant shooting, and two officers opened fire, killing the shooter at 10:27 a.m., Mr. Aaron said.

Surveillance video released by the police on Monday showed the shooter drive up to the school in what the police described as a Honda Fit. In the clip, two sets of glass doors shatter from bullets before the shooter ducks into the building through the broken glass. Wearing camouflage pants, a black vest and a backward red baseball cap, the shooter walks through rooms and hallways with a weapon drawn.”

Chief Drake explained that when Hale entered the school, he randomly targeted students, firing rounds at whoever he came in contact with. “We have some writings that we’re going over that pertain to this date, the actual incident. We have a map drawn out of how this was all going to take place.”

Authorities believe that there may have been some personal emotions about the school that led to Hale choosing it for the violent assault.

Drake explained, “There’s some belief that there was some resentment for having to go to that school.”

Today, the community is gathering for memorials and to process the shock of their sudden and violent losses. This marks the 13th deadly or injurious school shooting since the start of 2023.

Original story continues below: 

Reports are coming out of Nashville, Tennessee, that multiple children are dead and many possibly injured after a school shooting at an area private Christian elementary school.

Three children have been confirmed dead in the shooting at The Covenant School, located at 33 Burton Hills Blvd.

The suspect is also dead, after being engaged by police.

The incident was first reported on social media at around 10:30AM.

Vanderbilt University Medical Center spokesperson Jessica Pasley has confirmed that they have received children for treatment.

The local fire department said in a statement, “We can confirm we have multiple patients. Parents coming to the school should go to 20 Burton Hills at this time. This is an active scene.”

Students are being reunified with parents at Woodmont Baptist Church at 2100 Woodmont Blvd.

This is a developing story. 

Share: 
Tags: