NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Three students and three staff members, seven people total including the shooter, are dead following a shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville, according to police.
Police identified the student victims as Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs and William Kinney, all age 9.
Cynthia Peak, 61, Katherine Koonce, 60, and Mike Hill, 61, were identified as the staff members killed.
The website of The Covenant School, a Presbyterian school founded in 2001, lists a Katherine Koonce as the head of the school. Her LinkedIn profile says she has led the school since July 2016.
The suspect was a 28-year-old Nashville woman, Audrey Hale, and according to police, had two assault-type rifles and a pistol.
Hale had drawn a detailed map of the school, including potential entry points, and conducted surveillance before the killings, according to officials.
Hale is believed to be a former student at The Covenant School in Nashville, where the shooting took place.
The shooting happened at 10:13 a.m. The tragedy unfolded over roughly 14 minutes.
"Officers went to the gunfire. When they got to the second floor and saw the shooter, a female. There was a five-member unit that was on the second floor at the time," MNPD spokesperson Don Aaron said.
"She entered the school through a side entrance and went from the first school to the second floor. Three adults by 10:27 the shooter was dead."
The school is a private Christian school in Nashville for PreSchool through 6th grade. Last year, the school ran an active shooter training program.
Several leaders across the country have issued statements in response to the shooting.
Lt. Governor of Virginia Winsome Earle-Sears:
Our hearts grieve for the families of those murdered in Nashville at the Covenant School. Something has gone terribly wrong in our society where life has become so cheap. Thankful for the first responders. We pray for these families & for righteousness to be restored in the U.S.
Our hearts grieve for the families of those murdered in Nashville at the Covenant School. Something has gone terribly wrong in our society where life has become so cheap. Thankful for the first responders. We pray for these families & for righteousness to be restored in the U.S.
— Lt. Governor of Virginia - Winsome Earle-Sears (@WinsomeSears) March 27, 2023
Gov. Bill Lee:
I am closely monitoring the tragic situation at Covenant, & the @TNDeptofSafety & @TNHighwayPatrol are assisting local law enforcement & first responders at the scene. As we continue to respond, please join us in praying for the school, congregation & Nashville community.
Sen. Bill Hagerty:
Devastated and heartbroken about the tragic news at Covenant School. I'm grateful to law enforcement and first responders for their heroic actions. I am monitoring the situation closely, and my office is in contact with local officials & available to anyone needing assistance.
Tennessee Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton:
No harm should ever come to any child. At some point today, please take a moment to pray for the families impacted by this tragedy. As we continue learning more details, we appreciate law enforcement and first responders for their quick response neutralizing the threat.
Freddie O'Connell:
Nashville has, sadly, today joined the communities that have experienced a school shooting. For now, my focus is turning to supporting the impacted families and revisiting our efforts to prevent these horrifying scenarios.
The House Democratic Caucus:
“The House Democratic Caucus is praying for the children and their families who were shooting victims at the Covenant School. Caucus Chairman John Ray Clemmons says, ‘Our thoughts are with the families of the entire school community and surrounding neighborhood.’”
Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Brentwood
Chuck and I are heartbroken to hear about the shooting at Covenant School in Nashville. My office is in contact with federal, state, & 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.
The Tennessee Titans
We are heartbroken by the senseless loss of life at Covenant School today. We offer our condolences to the families and friends of the victims, and the entire Covenant School community.
This is an active scene and a breaking news scenario, we will update as information comes in.
