3/28/23 - Nashville Community Supports Covenant School Following Shooting

Seven people lost their lives following a deadly shooting at a private Christian school near Nashville, Tenn.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The incident began just before noon at The Covenant School, just before noon on Monday. 

A 28-year-old woman was armed and shot through doors and entered the school which was located within a church.  Three children and three staff members lost their lives.  Later the person responsible also lost her life.

The children at the elementary school were bused to nearby Woodmont Baptist Church and were reunited with their parents. 

The victims included:

The nine-year-old victims were named as Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs, and William Kinney. 

Scruggs was the daughter of Chad Scruggs, the pastor at the affiliated presbyterian church.  

Three adults also died: substitute teacher Cynthia Peak and custodian Mike Hill, both 61, and school head Katherine Koonce, 60. 

The attacker - who was fatally shot by police - has been named as 28-year-old Audrey Hale. She formerly attended the school.

Worship and prayer have continued since the events took place. 

At least seven prayer vigils were organized to honor the victims of the school shooting.  Another vigil was planned for 4 p.m. Tuesday at Davidson Academy prayer garden.

Covenant School released a statement late Monday night asking for privacy as law enforcement continues the investigation.

Lauren Daigle was in town for a concert but postponed the concert in order to host a prayer vigil for the victims of a mass shooting at Nashville’s The Covenant School.    Daigle was slated to preview her upcoming self-titled album at the Marathon Music Works on Monday night; the show is now scheduled for April 5. Instead, the venue hosted a free-to-all community-wide prayer vigil to honor the three nine-year-old children and three school staff members who were killed during Monday’s mass shooting.