The sixth victim was not taken to the hospital, police spokesman Don Aaron said. He praised the quickness of the police response. "As Christians I think were always ready to help play our part in bringing back that which has been not unified to unification," Pastor Nathan Parker told The Tennessean. Nashville police release chilling bodycam video after deadly shooting 04:08 Updated March 29, 2023, 1:27 AM UTC By NBC News Coverage on this live blog has ended. But something bad is about to happen.". It's ripping our communities apart, ripping the soul of this nation.". Dickson County Sheriff Tim Eads, who attended the meeting in which Rausch spoke about the case, said Rausch found "no clear motive" in the writings that have been analyzed. Contributing: Maureen Groppe, USA TODAY; Chris Gadd, Rachel Wegner, Kirsten Fiscus, and Craig Shoup,Nashville Tennessean; The Associated Press. The heavily armed person killed during a deadly school shooting in Nashville left behind a manifesto and map outlining their intentions, police said. After the shooting, children were seen walking, holding hands and surrounded by police cars, to the nearby Woodmont Baptist church, to be reunited with parents. Clarification: This article was updated. Nashville Police Chief John Drake said he grew emotional as he witnessed the aftermath of the shooting. Spare us the hand-wringing," Cash said on Twitter. IE 11 is not supported. The shooter was named as Audrey Elizabeth Hale, 28, and from Nashville. Drake said the officers were trying to decompress the day after the shooting. When they arrived, the shooterfired on arriving police vehicles from a 2nd story window, the Nashville police tweeted, showing pictures of bullet-pierced windows on police cruisers. NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Authorities released intense police body camera footage Tuesday from a deadly shooting rampage at a local Christian elementary school that killed three . Church staff passed out water, directed parents to the bathrooms and took out the trash. The 28-year-old who killed three children and three adults at a Christian school in Nashville last week fired 152 rounds, Nashville police said Monday, adding that while they have yet to determine a motive, the shooter planned the attack over a period of months and studied other mass murderers. U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., whose district includesthe site ofMonday's mass shooting, received widespreadcriticism from gun control advocates for a Christmas photo he postedin 2021 of his family posing with guns. This is a deep rupture in our lives., Metro Nashville police published a news release late Monday that said investigators found writings that revealed the attack was " calculated and planned.". 0:00. John Oliver Argues for Gun Control in Wake of Nashville School Mass Shooting: "Change Is Long Overdue". Nashville school shooting suspect: Who is the Covenant shooter? A shooter who killed three 9-year-old students and three adults at a private Christian elementary school in Nashville Monday had maps of the school, left behind writings and scouted a second. Authorities initially believed the shooter might hold resentment toward her former school but they have not provided any details to publicly back up that theory. Townville school shooting survivor Ava Olsen returns to class after 6 Hannah McDonald, a reporter for News Channel 5, told viewers her mother-in-law worked at the school but was on a break when the shooting happened. But Eads said that, if it were up to him, he would make the writings public. The Covenant school has about 209 students from pre-school through sixth grade and 42 staff members, Aaron said. "My heart aches," she said. Hale shot multiple rounds into glass doors to make entry into the school. Nashville, TN Police Chief calls for gun reform following Covenant The chief said the suspect identified as transgender but provided no further clarity. David Rausch, director of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, said authorities sent heartfelt prayers to the families of these victims. Police quickly worked through the first floor clearing classrooms and encouraging each other to move faster. Bill Lee and Nashville Mayor John Cooper about the shooting. First lady Jill Biden joins vigil; officers Engelbert, Collazo seen in body cam video hailed as heroes: Nashville shooting updates. One of Hale's former instructors at the Nossi College of Art & Design, Maria Colomy, said Sims' death took a great emotional toll on her former student. What we know about Covenant School shooting in Nashville. "I couldnt be prouder of their character in that moment.. The police chief did not specify the nature of such presumed resentment, or whether it had anything to do with the suspect's gender identity or the Christian orientation of the school. The vigil will start at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at 1 Public Square Park in Nashville. First lady. One police officer had a hand injury from cut glass, Loney and Aaron said. I think thats a mischaracterization, personally, Rausch said in another interview with Pray In Jesus Name News. Addressing an early evening news conference, Drake said police were working on a theory about what may have precipitated the shooting and would "put that out as soon as we can." Hale wore a black vest over a white T-shirt, camouflage pants and a backwards red baseball cap in a video that showed only the shooter in the frame. MORE: What we know about Tennessee's gun laws after Nashville shooting gaining entry to the building by firing through the buildings locked glass doors, Evelyn Dieckhaus, William Kinney and Hallie Scruggs. "We have to do more to stop gun violence. Police initially identified Hale by his birth name and gender. 2:59 PM EDT, Mon April 3, 2023. Follow the latest updates on the Covenant School shooting as they happen in our live blog here. We have become aware of the reality that we spend most of our lives wanting to deny, that this world is not safe. Nothing in the brief encounter at Patton's show gave Hardcastle any belief something was going to go horrifically wrong. Hale's parents believed that due to Hale's emotional state, Hale should not have owned weapons. Were investigating all the leads and, once we know exactly, well let you know., In an interview with NBC News, Drake said investigators believe Hale had some resentment for having to go to that school., 'AREN'T YOU GUYS TIRED OF THIS? We have a map drawn out of how this was all going to take place., Draketold NBC News that Hale might have had"some resentment for having to go to that school.". "I've left behind more than enough evidence behind. Emergency vehicles and helicopters swarmed the Green Hills neighborhood, which is home to several schools, a string of businesses and residential neighborhoods. A group prays with a child outside the reunification center at the Woodmont Baptist church. "We are focused on loving our students, our families, our faculty and staff and beginning the process of healing.". On Monday night, Tennessee's first lady Maria Lee was set to have dinner with one of her best friends, Cindy Peak, an old colleague from her teacher days who planned to spend the day as a substitute teacher at The Covenant School. "We think (Monday's shooting) was targeted and planned," Drake said. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation will assist the Metro Nashville Police Department in the investigation, said TBI Director David Rausch. "Like many of you, Ive experienced tragedy in my own life, and Ive experienced the day after that tragedy. Local congressman's family photo draws criticism, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. A couple hundred people attended the vigil. More than two weeks after a mass shooting at a Nashville Christian school, investigators have not yet identified a clear motive in the attackers journal writings, and authorities have not provided any details publicly to back up their early suggestion that the shooter may have felt resentment toward the school. Celebrating Childhood.". "I doubt that there's anyone you can talk to who would even be able to answer why. Just before the shooting at The Covenant School, Patton got a message from Hale, who warned that something bad was about to happen. Hale attended Covenant, a pre-kindergarten through sixth-grade private school, at around 10 years old, a former headmaster said. All rights reserved. The Covenant School, founded in 2001, is a ministry of Covenant Presbyterian Church in the Green Hills neighborhood of Nashville with about 200 students, according to the school's website. A few people trickled in to lay flowers against the stone wall where the memorial was set up. For some, that moment never came. 2023 Cable News Network. ':Woman who survived Highland Park shooting makes plea in Nashville. I'm very sad for the loss of my friend, and I'm very sad for the families and the loved ones of the victims. Lamenting the heartbreaking attack, Joe Biden repeated his call for Congress to pass meaningful gun control reform including an assault weapons ban. Either way, its so sad as were trying to understand the cause and motive, realizing that whatever information is shared might be weaponized against an already marginalized group.. "But I dont know if I could go off that two-minute interactionand say how she was feeling.. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much Nashville Mayor John Cooper expressed sympathy for the victims and wrote on social media that his city "joined the dreaded, long list of communities to experience a school shooting.". Tennessee moves to protect gunmakers from mass shooting lawsuits People gather at a makeshift memorial for victims outside the Covenant school building. "MERRY CHRISTMAS! Nashville private school shooting suspect had maps of building and Don Aaron, a spokesperson for MNPD, said Hale was believed to have entered a side entrance around 10:13 a.m. Monday with two assault rifles and a handgun. "Officers entered the first story of the school and begin clearing it. Nashville school shooter wrote manifesto and drew maps, per police. 2. Nashville shooting latest news: 911 caller says Covenant staff were armed Police response to mass casualty incidents are increasingly under scrutiny after a shooter killed 19 students and two teachers in Uvalde, Texas while officers stood outside. Earlier this month, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department released a list of items belonging to the shooter, including two shotguns, cellphones and laptops, as well as a suicide note, three folders and 19 journals. Biden believes recent legislative actions have not been enough. Is there a clue thats a tipoff? Giacalone asked. At the state level, Tennessee in 2021 did away with its permit requirement for carrying a concealed handgun and now allows anyone aged 21 and older to carry a firearm, either openly or concealed, without a permit, as long as they are legally allowed to purchase the weapon. (Metro Nashville Police Department) Law enforcement officers lead children away from the scene of a shooting at The. Audrey Hale legally bought seven weapons from five different gun stores, three of which were used yesterday during Monday's shooting, Metro police chief John Drake said during a Tuesday press briefing. Drake said the attacker did not appear to be targeting anyone specifically at the school, where Halehad been a student. Nashville shooter who killed 6 drew maps, surveilled school. Nashville School Shooting: What We Know - The New York Times So our prayers go out to these families., Ramon Antonio Vargas and the Associated Press contributed reporting, Biden says gun violence ripping our communities apart after Tennessee shooting, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. Peak was raised in Leesville, Louisiana, and attended Leesville High School through her sophomore year in 1977, when her family relocated to Shreveport, KALB-TVin Alexandria, Louisiana, reported. Audrey Hale sent direct messages from The Covenant School parking lot to a former middle school basketball teammate minutes before Monday's shooting. "It is not natural that we are forced into these conversations," Battle said. He commended MNPD's swift response, and called for Congress to take action to pass a ban on assault weapons. Averianna Patton told WTVF-TVshe saw the message that Hale planned to die by suicide and that Patton would see it on the news. "At Metro Schools, we have invested considerable resources to strengthen security at our facilities in response to the far too many, far too often instances of school shootings across the nation over the years.". We have to do more to stop gun violence,'' he said. The video ends with the confrontation in an upstairs lobby area, when several shots were fired at the attacker, who fell amid shouts of "Stop moving," "Suspect down," and, "Get your hand away from the gun.". David K. Li is a senior breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital. He said he was one of several chaplains, psychologists, life coaches and clergy inside supporting the families. "Like many of you, Ive experienced tragedy in my own life, and Ive experienced the day after that tragedy. The Tuesday night prayer vigil in Mt. "I have literally mind-blowing moments like, 'What in the world? The 61-year-old was one of six victims slain in one of the deadliest school shootings in Tennessee history. Even before the Covenant School shooting, Drake had concerns about gun violence. Her LinkedIn online profile says she has led the school since July 2016. "Mike was the beloved father of eight children. "She seemed like she always did, just kind of quiet," she said. The shooter was dead by 10.27am. Nashville school shooting: What we know about the attack : NPR Hardcastle struggled to reconcile the kind teenager she knew a decade ago as the same person who fatally shot three 9-year-olds, a school administrator, a custodian and a substitute teacher Monday. A woman whose mother teaches at the school told reporters they texted as the attack took place. Having responded to mass shooting at Virginia Tech, Orlandos Pulse Night Club and the mass shooting in Las Vegas, Jeff Gorter, vice president of clinical crisis response with R3 Continuum, said finding a return to routine is a great coping mechanism strategy for adults. "Our community is heartbroken. MNPD OFFICERS ON THE SCENE:Who are the Nashville officers who killed the Covenant School shooting suspect? Chief John Drake previously said during a news conference that during a search of the home she shared with her father on Brightwood Avenue, officers found a "manifesto" and drawn maps of the school with entrances and security cameras noted. Staff began ushering parents, the earliest of whom arrived about 11 a.m., to the sanctuary where they gave their information and student's information to officials. At the Woodmont Christian Church, a box of tissues sat at the end of each pew as the solemn crowd began the long process of grieving for the victims. Metro Nashville Police Department released body camera video showing officers arriving at The Covenant School where six were killed. Juliet began with a lone bagpipe player standing in front of the clock tower. The video begins when Englebert arrived on scene where a staff member outside the school directed officers to the second floor of the school. 6 Killed in Nashville School Shooting, Including 3 Children "The police department response was swift," police spokesman Don Aaronsaid. "She wore baggy clothes, kind of mixed-matched clothes. Hale entered the Covenant school with an AR-style rifle, anAR-style pistol and another handgun, police said. The shooter was killed by responding officers, police said. Its really unfortunate mental health issues that you can see as you read through the journals., While were starting to see a picture come together, Ill tell you its not close to anything that people are subjugating out there and exposing their opinions on, Rausch added. Police also confirmed that there is no motive at this timethe previously found manifesto in Hales vehicle on scene had talks about the school, a map, a drawing of entry points and assaults that would take place., Drake added that no specific student or faculty member was targeted in the attack. The video, with no audio, is more than two minutes long. '", Contributing: Cassandra Stephenson,Nashville Tennessean. Rachel Dibble, who was at the church as families found their children, described the scene as everyone being in complete shock. Those officers made entry into the school and ultimately shot and killed Hale. ", In a Twitter statement, Tennessee Gov. We dont know if gender identity played a part, but theres a conversation to be had that speaks to societys continual rejection and conflict over ones identity that can lead to this disconnect and frustration, Dunton said. Don Aaron, a police spokesperson, said the first call about the shooting came at 10.13am. Illinois resident Ashbey Beasley was on vacation and about a block away from the school when she heard shots Monday morning.