Scene at school shooting
photo by Nashville Metropolitan Police Department
Three children and three staff members were shot and killed on Monday morning at a private school in Nashville, authorities said.
The shooter was engaged by several police officers and was killed.
The shooter was described as Audrey Hale, 28, armed with two assault rifles and a handgun. She entered the school through a side door at 10:13 a.m. and began firing as she went up steps to the second floor. She had been killed by 10:27 a.m. She was identified as a former student of the school.
It happened at Covenant School, Covenant Presbyterian Church, on Burton Hills Boulevard. The pre-school-6th grade school has 209 students and 40-50 staff members.
The three children were identified as Hallie Scruggs, daughter of the lead pastor at Covenant Presbyterian, Evelyn Dieckhaus, and William Kinney, all nine years old.
The staff members were identified as Cynthia Peak, 61, Katherine Koonce, 60, and Mike Hill, 61.
Parents were picking up students from the school at a nearby church after the tragic incident.
The school last year had an active shooter training session.
Dr. Adrienne Battle, Director of Metro Nashville Public Schools, said, “As a parent, as an educator, as a human being, I’m grieving today over the tragic murder of children and school staff right here in our community. My heart goes out to the entire Covenant School community and the parents grieving the unimaginable loss of life today.
“We have been in close contact with the MNPD throughout the day, and we are providing whatever support we can to assist in their response. This is a traumatic event for the entire community, and our student support services team will be working to help our students and staff process this situation in the days to come.
Senator Marsha Blackburn said, "Chuck and I are heart-broken to hear about the school 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."
Senator Bill Haggerty said, "Devastated and heart-broken by 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, and available to anyone needing assistance."
Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly said, "Ginny and I are heartbroken by the innocent lives lost in Nashville this morning and grieve with all of the children, parents, and teachers impacted by this wanton act of violence. Chattanooga stands alongside all Nashvilleans in this moment of senseless horror and tragedy."