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News of a mass shooting at a school in Nashville, Tennessee, broke out on Monday, March 27, 2022. Six people, including three children and three staff members, lost their lives when Audrey Hale opened fire inside The Covenant School. 

Three students Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs, and William Kinney (all aged nine), and three staff members Katherine Koonce, 60, Cynthia Peak, 61, and Mike Hill, 61, were killed by the shooter.

The 28-year-old former student had reportedly sent a series of chilling messages to her friend, Averianna Patton, 14 minutes before the attack.  

The murderer was a graphic designer who attended Nossi College of Art. It does not appear Hale had any criminal record before Monday’s massacre. However, Hale did have a history of mental health issues.

Police have identified the suspected shooter by their name at birth. But Hale was reportedly a transgender man who used he/him pronouns. And the suspect’s social media accounts indicate that Audrey refers to themselves as Aiden.

Last Message to a friend

In the direct messages sent to Patton, Hale revealed her plans to die by suicide and warned her friend that "something bad is about to happen." She even mentioned leaving behind enough evidence and signed off with, "This is my last goodbye." 

Patton, who was a former middle school basketball teammate, tried to convince Hale that she had so much more life to live.

She even contacted the Suicide Prevention Help Line at 10:08 AM to try to get her friend help. Unfortunately, just five minutes later, Hale allegedly carried out the mass shooting at the school.

Mass Shooting at the Covenant School

At 10:13 AM, the first 911 call reporting shots fired inside The Covenant School came in.

Hale had entered the school, armed with two "assault-style" weapons, and a handgun. He opened fire, killing three small children and three staff members, and was captured on surveillance footage stalking the corridors looking for victims. The suspect was shooting outside through a third-floor window when responding officers shot her dead at 10:27 AM.

 Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake said in a press conference on Monday that Hale had drawn a detailed map of the school ground, including potential entry points, and carried out surveillance of the building before the massacre.

Get Help 

If you are experiencing feelings of distress and isolation or struggle to cope, please call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

If you or someone you know needs mental health assistance the Helpline is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.