Six people, including three children, were killed in a shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville on Monday, March 27. The victims were identified as nine-year-old students Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs, and William Kinney. As well as Cynthia Peak, 61, Mike Hill, 61, and Katherine.
According to Nashville authorities, Audrey E. Hale, who was “at one point a student” at the school, entered the building armed with two assault-style weapons and a handgun, after firing through a side door. Hale proceeded to the second floor, firing shots before being killed by the police.
Mike Hill had worked at the school for more than 13 years as a custodian, while Cynthia Peak was a substitute teacher. Katherine Koonce was the head of the Covenant School.
Surveillance footage released by the police showed Hale arriving at the school in a Honda Fit. He swiftly fired through two sets of glass doors before entering the building. The shooter, who had recently begun identifying as male, was described as “emotionally disturbed” by Nashville authorities.
Katherine Koonce was reportedly on a Zoom call when she heard the first shot and immediately ended the call to protect her students. Witnesses said she ran toward the shooter and sacrificed her life to protect the children under her care.
The Covenant School released a statement saying that the community was heartbroken. However, they are focused on loving their students, families, faculty, and staff while beginning the process of healing.
cc: NBCNews
