New Information Released on Nashville Elementary School Shooting

Outlets across the spectrum are reporting additional information about Monday’s mass shooting at a Nashville elementary school.

The Victims: Six people were killed in the shooting, not including the shooter, who was killed by police responding to the scene. Three of the victims were 9-year-old students— Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs, and William Kinney. Three were school faculty members— 61-year-old substitute teacher Cynthia Peak, 60-year-old school head Katherine Koonce, and 61-year-old custodian Mike Hill.

The Shooter: Police identified the shooter as 28-year-old Audrey Hale. Hale was a former student of the school. Police indicated Hale was transgender, with a spokesperson stating that Hale “was assigned female at birth. Hale did use male pronouns on a social media profile.” Hale committed the shooting with two “assault-style” weapons and a pistol. Surveillance and police body camera footage of the shooting was released Tuesday, showing Hale entering the school and the officers’ confrontation with Hale.

The Motive: Investigators discovered writing and hand-drawn maps of the school belonging to Hale, and stated that Hale conducted surveillance of the school prior to the shooting. Police spokesman Don Aaron stated that investigators do not believe Hale was targeting specific individuals inside the school. The Chief of the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department told reporters that Hale was previously treated for an emotional disorder. Before the shooting, Hale messaged a friend, stating, “I’m planning to die today,” and, “I’m so sorry. I’m not trying to upset you or get attention. I just need to die.”