School Rampage: Six Dead In Nashville, Tennessee

School Rampage: Six Dead In Nashville, Tennessee

Zara Bhatt '24 - 2 minute read
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On Monday, March 27, the nineteenth school shooting of 2023 occurred at The Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee. The deaths of three nine-year-old students, two faculty members, and a custodian were mourned at a memorial following the massacre. 

Evelyn Dieckhaus was described as a light and the epitome of warmth and joy.  Evelyn was especially close with her older sister Eleanor. Aside from her infectious laughter, Evelyn had interests in the arts and loved her two dogs. To honor Evelyn’s beaming and always content personality, the family asked attendees to wear pink and bright spring colors rather than the traditional black attire at Evelyn’s funeral. 

Hallie Scruggs was more than just a role model to her three brothers. Hallie’s aunt described her as the embodiment of all the qualities she hoped for in a daughter. It was Hallie’s intelligence and “love for life, that smiling and running and jumping and playing, always on the go” spirit that she wll be remembered for.  

William Kinney had an “unflappable spirit,” friends of the family shared. He demonstrated kindness, inclusiveness, and had a great sense of humor. William loved his sisters and parents. A close friend of the family mentioned that “sweet Will knew no strangers.” 

In addition to the young children, Katherine Koonce, the principal, was among the victims. A former graduate of Vanderbilt University and treasurer of friendships, she had devoted her life to advocating for children. A close friend of Katherine stated that “she was probably doing everything she could to change this story, to stop this thing from happening, to talk to this person, whatever she could do.” 

Cynthia Peak was a substitute teacher at The Covenant School. She was a friend of Katherine, as well as a wife, mother, and grandmother. In addition to being a substitute teacher, Cynthia was also a tutor and a swim instructor. 

 Sixty-one-year-old custodian, Mike Hill, was also killed during the shooting. Hill was a member of the facilities/kitchen staff at the school. Known as “Big Mike” to the students, Hill worked at the school for fourteen years and “absolutely loved” his job.

It was around ten in the morning when Aubrey Hale, a former student at the Christian school, broke into the building while carrying two rifles. Hale gained entry by firing through the locked glass doors. After killing anyone who came in contact, Hale later opened fire on the police officers upon their arrival. Shortly after the police evacuated the area, the perpetrator was taken down. 

The morning of the shooting, Hale messaged a former teammate who also attended The Covenant School. On ABC News, the former peer mentioned that the message depicted suicidal thoughts and said that Hale would not live after Monday. Hale’s former friend took immediate action by contacting the suicide hotline and local police. Just moments after reaching out for help, Hale was declared dead -fourteen minutes after arriving at the site of the school. 

After an FBI investigation, a manifesto was found in the car of the shooter, although Hale was not necessarily targeting any specific people it was said that they had some ulterior motive against the school and may have felt a sense of resentment. The FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit stated that “Hale considered the actions of other mass murderers” and planned the attack over a period of months.  It was also learned that the shooter had been hiding seven guns in their household. Although Hale was under care for an emotional disorder, law enforcement was unaware of the treatment the shooter was receiving. Hale’s mother, a gun-control activist, was surprised to learn of the hidden weaponry in her household. 

The Nashville shooting is now recognized as the nineteenth shooting at a school or university in 2023. The rampage has been the deadliest school shooting since 21 people, including 19 children, were murdered in Uvalde, Texas about a year ago. 

On Tuesday, April 4, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed an executive order to enhance the state’s background check progress that is required to purchase a gun. Lee also encouraged lawmakers to pass a “red flag” law for people who exhibit unstable mental health or violent behavior in an effort to support stricter gun laws. 

In light of recent events, Germantown Academy has been taking the initiative to enforce security. As of Monday, April 11th, all students and faculty are currently wearing identification badges to help security and all members of the GA community decrease the risk of outsiders entering the building. In addition to wearing identification badges, security officers have also limited the number of exterior doors students can enter and exit upon their arrival/departure.

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