As with all mass shootings, questions continue to arise around the motivations that led to the attack at Covenant School, a Christian elementary school in Nashville, which left six people dead, including three children.
New details about the case are emerging as the city prepares to hold a vigil in downtown Nashville on Wednesday night (29) to honor the six victims.
The attack occurred on Monday, the 27th
The police received a report of a shooting at 10:13 AM on Monday (27) and heard gunfire on the second floor upon arriving at the school.
Local security footage released on Monday night captured the shooter parking a car outside the school and shooting at two sets of doors. The bullets shattered the glass panels. With the gun in hand, the shooter was seen walking through the classrooms and hallways of the school.
A six-minute compilation of body camera footage from two police officers, released on Tuesday (28) by the Police Department, showed the officers running through the school, passing by children’s artwork hanging on the walls, searching classrooms and bathrooms, and ultimately killing the shooter at 10:27 AM.
Three children and three adults died
The police identified the six victims as Hallie Scruggs, Evelyn Dieckhaus, and William Kinney, all 9; Mike Hill, 61, school custodian; Cynthia Peak, 61, substitute teacher; and Katherine Koonce, 60, school principal.
The shooter purchased seven firearms, including a military-style semi-automatic rifle
The shooter legally purchased seven firearms from five local gun stores and hid them throughout the house. He used three of them on Monday. The three weapons included a military-style semi-automatic rifle, a handgun, and a small 9 mm carbine.
The shooter had a handwritten diagram of the school, along with a drawing of how it could be accessed. Additional writings were found in his car and at his family’s home. The assailant was “prepared for a confrontation with the police” and “prepared to cause more harm” before being killed, said the Nashville police chief.
Who is the shooter?
Audrey Hale, 28, was identified as the Nashville shooter. His parents said they knew Hale had bought and sold a gun and were unaware that he had others. They reported that Hale left home on Monday with a red bag. They asked what was inside, but were ignored by their son.
Neither the parents nor the police know the motive for the crime. The shooter did not specifically target any of the six deceased individuals, but his writings mentioned a mall near the school as another possible target.
The parents also reported that their son was receiving medical treatment for emotional disturbances.
Source: The New York Times