A 28-year-old perpetrator shot dead three children and three adults at a private Christian school in Nashville, Tennessee, US authorities have said. The perpetrator was then shot and killed by the police.
The police responded to initial reports of an armed attack at 10:13am and proceeded to the site of the crime where they engaged the shooter, who they say was armed with two “assault-type” rifles and a handgun.
The perpetrator has been identified as 28-year-old Audrey Elizabeth Hale, who identified as a transgender male (a biological woman). The police initially thought the suspect was a female teenager.
Nashville school shooting
According to the latest reports, when police officers arrived near the scene of the shooting, they heard the sound of gunfire coming from the second floor of the school.
Two members of a five-man police team engaged the active shooter at a reception area on the second floor where they shot the perpetrator dead at around 10:27am. One officer was wounded by cut glass whilst responding to the incident.
The two police officers, Rex Englebert and Michael Collazo have been hailed as heroes for the way they dealt with the active shooter incident.
During a news conference, Don Aaron of the Nashville Police Department, confirmed that three children and three of the school’s staff members, as well as the school shooter had been killed during the incident.
Don Aaron of the Nashville Police Department: “The three students who were shot are deceased. The three staff members who were shot are deceased.”
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The perpetrator
The attacker responsible for the Nashville school shooting has been identified as Audrey Elizabeth Hale, a 28-year-old transgender male.
Hale was a former student who attended the Covenant School. The shooter, who had no previous criminal records, lived with their parents in Nashville.
Nashville police Chief John Drake revealed that the authorities had obtained a manifesto written by Hale sometime before the attack took place. He described the perpetrator as a “lone zealot”.
We have a manifesto, we have some writings that we’re going over that pertain to this date, the actual incident. We have a map drawn out of how this was all going to take place.”
Although Hale’s motive has not yet been confirmed, Drake told the press that investigators believe that the school shooting may have been driven by “some resentment” Hale harbored “for having to go to that school” in their youth.
Further details
It is not yet known whether any other minors or adults have been wounded in yet another school shooting to befall the US.
Several students evacuated the school, flanked by police cars, and held hands while walking to a nearby church where they were reunited with their parents.
Police officers wearing tactical body armor and helmets, and carrying rifles, were spotted patrolling the school car park and the surrounding area.
In addition, helicopter footage showed the officers searching a wooded area between the campus and a nearby road.
Nashville mayor John Cooper expressed gratitude towards the emergency services for their prompt reaction to the incident.
“In a tragic morning, Nashville joined the dreaded, long list of communities to experience a school shooting,” said Cooper.
“My heart goes out to the families of the victims. Our entire city stands with you.”
Responses
As details emerged about the school shooting, prominent figures in the local community and US politicians have made their reactions known.
The Covenant School falls within the district of Democrat State Representative Bob Freeman. He referred to the incident as an “unimaginable tragedy”.
“I live around the corner from Covenant and pass by it often. I have friends who attend both church and school there,” he continued.
“I have also visited the church in the past. It tears my heart apart to see this.”
The Covenant School, where the tragedy unfolded, is a privately-run Christian institution catering to students from pre-school up to sixth grade. According to its website, approximately 200 pupils attend the school.
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