NOTE: Out of respect for the families that were impacted by the incident at Covenant School in Nashville on Monday, March 27, 2023, WGNS Radio will not be releasing the video footage of the shooter.
Nashville, TN - Metro Police say a woman armed with three guns made her way into a private school in the Green Hills area of Nashville and fatally shot a total of 6 victims on Monday morning (03/27/2023) around 10:15 AM. The incident occurred at the Covenant School, near the intersection of Harding Place and Hillsboro Pike.
As parents learned of the shooting, they quickly made their way to the school. However, they were met by police near the entrance and ushered to the Nashville Fire Station that sits in front of the Christian school… In order for police to confirm an accurate headcount before parents could take their children home, the students were loaded onto school buses... The frightened children quickly made their way to the awaiting buses walking hand-in-hand.
Tearful parents were told to go to Woodmont Baptist Church - about 2-miles away - to be reunited with their children. Some parents drove to the church and a handful of parents were transported to the church by Metro Police.
In an effort to not further overwhelm the students, parents patiently waited in the Woodmont Church Chapel for their name to be called in sets of three to take their children home. During that wait, doctors from Vanderbilt, licensed counselors and psychologists talked to the students, their parents and any additional family members that were present. Metro Police, TBI and FBI Agents were also at the church to ensure the process flowed smoothly.
Sadly, not all of the family members left with their loved one on Monday. Killed in the shooting were Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs, and William Kinney, all age 9, 62-year-old Cynthia Peak, 60-year-old Katherine Koonce, and 61-year-old and Mike Hill, who was affectionately known by the students as “Big Mike.” Metro Chief of Police John Drake confirmed the name of the suspect in the shooting…
The shooter, Audrey Elizabeth Hale, is a former student of Covenant School and evidence gathered by detectives shows that her attack on the school was not random… Other location may have been targeted by the shooter…Detectives found maps and additional evidence inside a residence on Brightwood Avenue, which is where Hale lived.
Metro Police told the media that Hale stormed the school with what looked to be two rifles and a handgun, along with a significant amount of ammunition. Police located the vehicle that Hale is believed to have driven to the school shortly after the woman was killed. Inside the Honda Fit were notes written by Hale.
At this stage of the investigation, Chief Drake said they are not aware of any history of mental illness…
Shortly after the school shooting occurred in Nashville, the Rutherford County School’s released a statement about the incident. At 12-noon Rutherford County Director of Communications told WGNS, “We have learned of the tragic shooting that occurred at a school in Nashville this morning. Like everyone, we are waiting for all the facts. We have received some media inquiries about whether the situation will affect our school operations today. However, our schools are already closed this week for spring break. We haven’t been asked for assistance from the Nashville school or its community, but we would be happy to help if there is anything we can do.”
Covenant School is a pre-school through sixth grade Christian School on the campus of Covenant Presbyterian Church at 33 Burton Hills Boulevard. The school sits on a hill overlooking Green Hills in Nashville.
REPORT FROM METRO POLICE - Chief John Drake and the men and women of the MNPD join all of Nashville in mourning today’s deaths of six innocent persons, three nine-year-old’s and three adults, at the hands of an active shooter at Covenant Church/School on Burton Hills Drive.
The deceased are identified as Evelyn Dieckhaus, William Kinney, and Hallie Scruggs, all age nine, Mike Hill, age 61, Cynthia Peak, age 61, and Katherine Koonce, ago 60.
The shooter, Audrey Elizabeth Hale, 28, who attended the school years ago, arrived on campus in her Honda Fit. She was heavily armed with three guns, two of them assault-type weapons, and, as seen in surveillance video, shot her way into the church/school through doors on the side of the building.
The first call to 911 about shots being fired in the building came in at 10:13 a.m. Officers rushed to the campus, made entry and began clearing the building. Shots were heard coming from the second level. It was on the second floor, in a common area, that a team of officers encountered Hale shooting (she had been firing through a window at arriving police cars). Two members of an officer team fired on Hale and fatally wounded her. Those two officers are Officer Rex Englebert, a four-year MNPD veteran, and Officer Michael Collazo, a nine-year MNPD veteran.
Writings recovered from Hale revealed that her attack was calculated and planned.
A search warrant executed at Hale’s Brightwood Avenue home resulted in the seizure of a sawed-off shotgun, a second shotgun, and other evidence.
The investigation by several Metro Nashville Police Dept. components, with assistance from their partners at the TBI, FBI, ATF and THP, is continuing.
Response To Shooting
Shortly after the school shooting occurred in Nashville, the Rutherford County School’s released a statement about the incident. At 12-noon Rutherford County Director of Communications told WGNS, “We have learned of the tragic shooting that occurred at a school in Nashville this morning. Like everyone, we are waiting for all the facts. We have received some media inquiries about whether the situation will affect our school operations today. However, our schools are already closed this week for spring break. We haven’t been asked for assistance from the Nashville school or its community, but we would be happy to help if there is anything we can do.”
The Senate Republican Caucus Bill Review scheduled for 3:15 pm Monday (3/27/2023) has been canceled. Out of respect for today’s events, the Senate will honor those affected during session and adjourn. There will be no business, presentations nor introduction of guests.
(U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn) "Chuck and I are heartbroken to hear about the shooting at Covenant School in Nashville. My office is in contact with federal, state and local officials, and we stand ready to assist. Thank you to the first responders working on site. Please join us in prayer for those affected.
