Authorities have identified Audrey Hale, a 28-year-old woman who has been named as the alleged gunman in a shooting at a Nashville elementary school where three children and three adults were shot and killed.
Audrey Hale, who identified as a transgender person, was shot and killed by officers during the operation to stop the shooting.
The attacker was a Nashville resident and carried out the shooting with premeditation at Covenant Christian Private School, where she was a former student, Nashville Police Chief John Drake said at a press conference.
Authorities reported that they found her home and entered it at 10:30 a.m. local time, where they found plans of the school with details such as doors, entrances and security cameras marked.
Audrey Hale used to reside at her parents’ home where they also found a “manifesto” and writings that are being studied by authorities.
Nashville elementary school shooting
According to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, shooter Audrey Hale entered the campus on Monday morning, March 27, 2023 with two assault weapons and a handgun, at least two of which she obtained legally. When shots were heard on the second floor several officers responded to the situation and shot the assailant on the spot. Authorities reported that she was prepared with multiple rounds of ammunition and was ready to engage the police.
At a press conference, the Nashville police said that so far they only know that Audrey Hale had no criminal record or history of mental health problems. The shooter allegedly prepared in advance for the shooting and left a manifesto of her plans, the contents of which have not been disclosed by the authorities.
Police initially reported that the shooter was a teenager. Later, when they identified the attacker, they corrected her age and said that the mistake occurred because she does not look like a woman over 20 years old.
As a result of the shooting three minor students of Covenant Elementary School lost their lives, as well as three adult school staff members. Police revealed that the victims are:
Evelyn Dieckhaus, age 9
Hallie Scruggs, 9
William Kinney, 9,
Cynthia Peak, 61
Katherine Koonce, 60
Mike Hill, 61
Police explained that on a normal day there are usually about 209 students at the school, which has more than 40 employees.
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