OAN’s Sophia Flores
12:36 PM – Monday, March 27, 2023
Three students and three adults are dead after a shooting occurred at Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee on Monday.
During a 4:00 p.m. press conference, Metro Nashville Police Department Chief John Drake announced that 28-year-old Audrey Hale was responsible for the murders of Evelyn Dieckhaus, 9, Hallie Scruggs, 9
William Kinney, 9, Cynthia Peak, 61, Katherine Koonce, 60 and Mike Hill, 61. The shooter died as well.
Drake identified Hale as a transgender woman. Officials also announced that Hale is a former student at the private Presbyterian school.
Hale gained entry into the school around 10:15 a.m. Drake stated that the shooter had prior planning to the shooting, as they had drawn detailed maps which included entry points to the building and “how this was all gonna take place.” Police also discovered a written manifesto.
Special agents from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, local law enforcement and first responders arrived at the school after 911 calls were received that the 28-year-old had begun shooting in the lobby area after entering the school through a side entrance.
After a standoff with the Nashville police, officers were able to kill Hale who was armed with two “assault-type rifles” and a handgun.
According to officials, three students with gunshot wounds were sent to Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. After arriving, all three were declared dead. Additionally, the three adults were taken to the hospital where they were later confirmed to be deceased.
Soon after, a reunification location with “mental health specialists and professionals” was established for the families and students.
White House officials have confirmed that President Joe Biden had been briefed on the Nashville school shooting. First Lady Jill Biden released a statement.
“We just learned about another shooting in Tennessee. A school shooting. And I am truly without words. Our children deserve better. And we stand, all of us, we stand with Nashville in prayer,” the First Lady said.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee (R-Tenn) sent out a tweet that he is monitoring the situation.
This is a developing story.