A heartbreaking tragedy has occurred in Nashville as a gunwoman has reportedly shot three children and three adults dead at a local school. The incident has sent shockwaves through the community and has left many wondering how such a horror could happen. Details are still emerging, but this horrific act of violence serves as a painful reminder of the importance of addressing gun safety measures to prevent such tragedies from happening in the future.
A gunwoman armed with two “assault-style” rifles and a pistol killed three students and three adults at a private Christian school in Nashville, Tennessee on Monday. The Covenant School, which is a Presbyterian school with about 200 students, had been targeted by the shooter who had mapped out detailed plans including potential entry points and conducted surveillance in preparation for the attack. The shooter died after being shot by police following the violence. The victims were identified as Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs and William Kinney, all aged nine, and Cynthia Peak, 61, Katherine Koonce, 60, and Mike Hill, 61. Ms. Koonce was identified as the head teacher of The Covenant School.
Police initially believed the shooter was a teenager; however, they subsequently confirmed that she was 28-years-old and a former pupil of the school. The identity of a female shooter came as a surprise, as women make up only about 5% to 8% of all mass shooters, said Adam Lankford, a criminal justice professor at the University of Alabama who has closely studied the psychology and behaviour of such individuals. Women have carried out high-profile shootings in the past but predominantly target individuals known to them, while male shooters typically target strangers.
This shooting adds to an increasingly growing list of school shootings that have taken place across the United States. Communities across the country have been shocked and saddened by the spate of violent acts, including the massacre at a primary school in Uvalde, Texas, last year, a pupil who shot his teacher in Virginia, and a shooting in Denver last week that wounded two administrators.
US President Joe Biden has long advocated for tighter gun control and immediately called on Congress to pass his assault weapons ban in the wake of the Nashville shooting. He commented, “It’s heartbreaking, a family’s worst nightmare. It’s ripping at the soul of this nation, ripping at the very soul of this nation.” Similarly, Jill Biden, the First Lady, expressed her condolences, stating, “I am truly without words, and our children deserve better. We stand, all of us, we stand with Nashville in prayer.”
Police responded to the initial call at 10:13 AM and the entire attack lasted for roughly 14 minutes. The victims were pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. After hearing gunshots coming from the next floor, two officers from a five-member team opened fire in response, fatally shooting the suspect at 10:27 AM. No police officers were present or assigned to the school at the time of the shooting because it is run by a church.
The Covenant School was founded as a ministry of Covenant Presbyterian Church in 2001 and has a student population of 200. Its 33 teachers are dedicated to the motto “Shepherding Hearts, Empowering Minds, Celebrating Childhood.” The school is located in the affluent Green Hill neighborhood, which is just south of Nashville and home to the Bluebird Cafe, a famous spot for musicians and songwriters.
Democratic state representative Bob Freeman, whose district includes The Covenant School, called Monday’s shooting an “unimaginable tragedy.” He stated, “I live around the corner from Covenant and pass by it often. I have friends who attend both church and school there … It tears my heart apart to see this.” The tragedy at The Covenant School adds to the growing list of school shootings that continue to plague the United States.