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2023 Nashville school shooting: Difference between revisions

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Representative [[Tim Burchett]], representing [[Knoxville, Tennessee|Knoxville]], in an interview with reporters stated when asked on preventing future tragedies, "I don't see any real role that [Congress] could do other than mess things up, honestly ... I don't think you're going to stop the gun violence" and "We're not going to fix it ... Criminals are gonna be criminals."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wong |first=Julia Carrie |date=March 28, 2023 |title=Republican congressman says 'we're not going to fix' school shootings |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/mar/28/tim-burchett-republican-nashville-shooting |access-date=2023-03-28 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
Representative [[Tim Burchett]], representing [[Knoxville, Tennessee|Knoxville]], in an interview with reporters stated when asked on preventing future tragedies, "I don't see any real role that [Congress] could do other than mess things up, honestly ... I don't think you're going to stop the gun violence" and "We're not going to fix it ... Criminals are gonna be criminals."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wong |first=Julia Carrie |date=March 28, 2023 |title=Republican congressman says 'we're not going to fix' school shootings |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/mar/28/tim-burchett-republican-nashville-shooting |access-date=2023-03-28 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

Some right-wing commentators and politicians have focused on Hale's reported transgender identity, while liberal commentators and politicians blamed guns for the violence. Representative [[Marjorie Taylor Greene]] and [[Fox News]] host [[Laura Ingraham]] speculated that testosterone was in part to blame for Hale's actions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Seitz-Ward |first=Alex |last2=Hixenbaugh |first2=Mike |date=March 28, 2023 |title=Some on the right blame gender identity and not guns for Nashville shooting |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/right-blame-gender-identity-not-guns-nashville-shooting-rcna76969 |access-date=2023-03-28 |website=NBC News |language=en |archive-date=March 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328190809/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/right-blame-gender-identity-not-guns-nashville-shooting-rcna76969 |url-status=live }}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==

Revision as of 03:27, 29 March 2023

2023 Covenant School shooting
Part of mass shootings in the United States and school shootings in the United States
Map
LocationGreen Hills, Nashville, Tennessee, US
Coordinates36°05′35″N 86°49′32″W / 36.09306°N 86.82556°W / 36.09306; -86.82556
DateMarch 27, 2023
10:13 – 10:27 a.m. (CDT; UTC−05:00)
TargetStudents and staff at The Covenant School
Attack type
Mass murder, mass shooting, school shooting
Weapons
Deaths7 (including the perpetrator)
Injured1[a]
PerpetratorAudrey Elizabeth Hale[3]
a.k.a. Aiden Hale[4]
MotiveUnder investigation

On March 27, 2023, a mass shooting occurred at The Covenant School, a parochial school in the Green Hills neighborhood of Nashville, Tennessee, United States.[5][6][7] Six people—three children and three staff members—were killed. The shooter, identified as 28-year-old former student Audrey Elizabeth Hale,[8] was killed by responding police officers.[2]

Background

The Covenant School is a private Christian school located in the Green Hills neighborhood. It educates students in pre-kindergarten to the sixth grade. It was founded in 2001 as a ministry of Nashville's Covenant Presbyterian Church, a congregation of the Presbyterian Church in America and its enrollment is about 200 students.[9]

Shooting

The incident began at around 10:13 a.m. CDT,[10][11] when police first received a call about an active shooter.[12] According to police, the shooter, later identified as Audrey Hale, drove a Honda Fit to the school, parking it in the lot.[13] Hale shot through a side door to gain entry into the building,[13][14] armed with two assault-style rifles and a handgun.[14][15][16] Hale walked across the second floor of the school before opening fire. Officers arrived at the school at 10:24 a.m.,[12] with body camera footage showing at least one officer talking to a teacher who notified him that students were locked down but two were unaccounted for.[17]

Police officers began evacuating the first floor and searching through rooms for Hale. They then heard gunshots coming from the second floor.[12][18] Five Metro Nashville Police officers went upstairs and encountered Hale, who was firing through a window at arriving police vehicles. Two of the officers fired eight rounds in total, fatally shooting Hale at 10:27 a.m., 14 minutes after the initial 911 call.[1][12][19][20]

Victims

Six people—three children and three staff members—were killed in the shooting. Five of the victims were pronounced dead at a local hospital, with the sixth victim being pronounced dead at the scene.[21] The victims were identified as students Evelyn Dieckhaus, William Kinney, and Hallie Scruggs, all 9 years old; substitute teacher Cynthia Peak, 61; custodian Mike Hill, 61; and head of school Katherine Koonce, 60. A police officer suffered a hand injury from shattered glass.[22]

Aftermath

A reunification center was set up at the Woodmont Baptist Church by the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department; students who fled the school arrived at the church by school bus in the afternoon. Parents were asked to provide information regarding their children, while the children were counted in a separate area and then reunited with their parents.[23] Shortly after the shooting, many individuals gathered for prayer vigils in honor of the victims, with at least seven separate vigils being held within 24 hours of the shooting. A memorial was also held at the school, with items such as flowers, balloons, and stuffed animals being left by attendants.[24]

Perpetrator

Audrey Elizabeth Hale, who also went by Aiden, was identified by the police as the shooter.[25][4] Hale was a 28-year-old resident of Nashville, who had no previous criminal record[3] and attended the school at an early age.[26] Police initially identified him as a woman but later said he was transgender, assigned female at birth, and used masculine pronouns.[3][15][27][28] Hale was an illustrator and graphic designer who graduated from the Nossi College of Art & Design in 2022.[14] A neighbor of Hale's has said that, at the time of the shooting, he still resided with his parents.[29] According to authorities, Hale was under care for an emotional disorder at the time of the shooting and had legally purchased seven firearms between October 2020 and June 2022; three of the firearms were used in the shooting.[1]

Hale sent a message to a former middle school basketball teammate at 9:57 a.m. on the day of the shooting, saying that he planned to die by suicide.[30]

Investigation

The Metro Nashville Police Department is leading the investigation into the shooting, assisted by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.[31] A search warrant executed at the residence of Hale resulted in the seizure of two shotguns, one of which was sawed-off, and other evidence.[32] Investigators also found a detailed map of the school with potential entry points and a manifesto.[18][25] Hale is alleged to have undertaken reconnaissance before committing the attack.[33] Police said Hale had originally considered targeting another location but had decided not to carry out the attack due to the level of security there.[25]

Reactions

When President Joe Biden was asked about the shooting at a press conference, he called it "sick" and urged Congress to take further action on gun safety legislation.[9]

The Covenant School issued a statement on the day of the shooting, asking for privacy and that their community was heartbroken and grieving the tremendous losses.[24] Nashville Mayor John Cooper issued a statement in which he highlighted the long history of school shootings in the U.S. and offered his condolences to those affected.[18] Several notable Nashville musicians, including Mickey Guyton, Margo Price, and Sheryl Crow, responded to the shooting, offering their condolences and expressing anger about the continuation of school shootings.[34]

A survivor of the 2022 Highland Park parade shooting was recorded talking to reporters after a news conference about the Covenant School shooting, asking, "Aren't you guys tired of being here and having to cover all of these mass shootings?"[35]

Representative Andy Ogles, whose district includes Nashville, tweeted that he was "devastated" by the shooting and offered thoughts and prayers for the families of those lost. Ogles's response was subsequently criticized on social media, with people calling attention to his family's Christmas card from 2021, which featured a photo of Ogles, his wife, and two of his children holding large guns.[36]

Representative Tim Burchett, representing Knoxville, in an interview with reporters stated when asked on preventing future tragedies, "I don't see any real role that [Congress] could do other than mess things up, honestly ... I don't think you're going to stop the gun violence" and "We're not going to fix it ... Criminals are gonna be criminals."[37]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ The injured victim was a police officer who suffered a hand injury from shattered glass.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c Levenson, Eric; Alonso, Melissa; Salahieh, Nouran (March 28, 2023). "Covenant School shooter was under care for emotional disorder and hid guns at home, police say". CNN. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  2. ^ a b "At least 6 dead in Nashville, Tennessee school shooting". BNO News. March 27, 2023. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c "Nashville Christian school shooter appears to be a former student, police chief says". NBC News. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  4. ^ a b The Associated Press. "What we know about the alleged Nashville school shooter". kwtx.com. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  5. ^ Smithson, Daniel. "MNPD: Shooter is dead following active situation at Covenant School". WSMV-TV. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  6. ^ "Nashville school shooting leave multiple victims, suspect dead". Reuters. March 27, 2023. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  7. ^ Mattise, Jonathan (March 27, 2023). "3 children, 3 adults killed in shooting at Nashville private school". PBS NewsHour. Associated Press. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  8. ^ Romero, Dennis (March 27, 2023). "Suspect had maps of school and shot through door to get in". NBC News. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  9. ^ a b Levenson, Eric; Henderson, Jennifer (March 27, 2023). "28-year-old woman kills 3 students and 3 adults at private Christian school in Nashville, police say". CNN. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  10. ^ West, Emily; Broderick, Kelly (March 27, 2023). "Seven dead: three children killed plus the shooter dead at The Covenant School on Monday". newschannel5.com. WTVF. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  11. ^ Wurm, Kevin (March 27, 2023). "Woman shoots dead 3 children, 3 adults in Nashville school attack". Reuters. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  12. ^ a b c d Yan, Holly (March 28, 2023). "Nashville school shooting: A timeline of key events". CNN. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  13. ^ a b Hara, Amanda. "Nashville school shooter fired at glass doors to gain entry, fired at police". WSMV. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  14. ^ a b c Bogel-Burroughs, Nicholas (March 27, 2023). "The Nashville school shooter had a 'manifesto' and maps, police say". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  15. ^ a b Pengelly, Martin; Vargas, Ramon Antonio (March 27, 2023). "Three children and three adults killed in Nashville elementary school shooting". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  16. ^ Shoup, Craig; Gadd, Chris; Wegner, Rachel; Fiscus, Kirsten (March 27, 2023). "Nashville school shooting: Seven fatally shot at Covenant School, including female suspect". The Tennessean. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  17. ^ Wright, Lucas; Baird, Brittney; Posey, Sebastian (March 28, 2023). "Bodycam video shows moments police killed active shooter at Nashville school". WKRN News 2. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  18. ^ a b c Mattise, Jonathan; Loller, Travis (March 27, 2023). "3 children, 3 adults fatally shot at Nashville grade school". Chattanooga Times Free Press. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  19. ^ Li, David K.; Obregon, Natalie (March 27, 2023). "Nashville Christian school shooting leaves 3 children, 3 adults dead". NBC News. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  20. ^ McShane, Julianne (March 28, 2023). "Body camera footage shows moment police confront and kill Nashville shooter". NBC News. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  21. ^ Hughes, Trevor (March 27, 2023). "Who is the female Nashville school shooter who killed six at private Christian school?". USA Today. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  22. ^ Delaney, Matt; Mordock, Jeff (March 27, 2023). "Nashville school shooter was transgender, had 'manifesto,' police say". The Washington Times. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  23. ^ Davis, Molly (March 27, 2023). "Parents wait to be reunited with children in wake of Covenant School shooting". The Tennessean. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  24. ^ a b Davis, Miles; Leyva, Diana (March 28, 2023). "Covenant School community seeks prayer in wake of deadly mass shooting". The Tennessean. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  25. ^ a b c "Audrey Hale, 28, named as Nashville school shooter as map and manifesto found". The Independent. March 27, 2023. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  26. ^ Smithson, Daniel (March 27, 2023). "Nashville school shooter was former student, police say". WSMV. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  27. ^ Hernandez, Joe; Doubek, James (March 27, 2023). "3 children and 3 adults are dead in a shooting at a Christian school in Nashville". NPR. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  28. ^ Wegner, Rachel; Davis, Molly; Sharon, Keith (March 28, 2023). "'Truly horrific': Nashville mourns after mass shooting at elementary school". The Tennessean. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  29. ^ Bruggeman, Lucien; Romero, Laura; Levine, Mike (March 28, 2023). "Who was Nashville shooter Audrey Hale?". ABC News. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  30. ^ West, Emily; Gibbs, Kelsey (March 28, 2023). "She checked her Instagram. She didn't expect a message from The Covenant School shooter". News Channel 5 Nashville (WTVF). Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  31. ^ "What we know about the Nashville school shooter Audrey Hale". The Independent. March 28, 2023. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  32. ^ "Investigation Continuing into Today's Active Shooter Murders at Covenant School". Nashville.gov. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  33. ^ "Three children and three adults gunned down at grade school in Nashville". thestar.com. March 27, 2023. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  34. ^ Paulson, Dave (March 27, 2023). "Nashville musicians react to Covenant School shooting, call for action". The Tennessean. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  35. ^ Mendoza, Jordan (March 27, 2023). "'Aren't you guys tired of this?': Woman who survived Highland Park shooting makes plea in Nashville". USA TODAY. Archived from the original on March 27, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  36. ^ Horowitch, Rose (March 28, 2023). "Rep. Andy Ogles, whose district includes Nashville, criticized over gun-filled Christmas photo". NBC News. Archived from the original on March 28, 2022.
  37. ^ Wong, Julia Carrie (March 28, 2023). "Republican congressman says 'we're not going to fix' school shootings". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
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