On Monday morning, the peaceful Nashville community was shattered by another school shooting.
Audrey Hale, a 28-year-old former student of Covenant School, fatally shot three adults and three children, including three 9-year-olds, at the private Christian elementary school.
The incident occurred just after 10 A.M., as children in preschool through sixth grade had begun their final week of classes before Easter break.
Nashville school shooter's manifesto and maps found
According to the New York Post, officials have reported that Audrey Hale, a former student, made her way into the school on Monday morning by shooting through a door situated on the side of the building.
While inside, Hale killed Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs, and William Kinney, all age 9, custodian Mike Hill, substitute teacher Cynthia Peak, both 61, and school head Katherine Koonce, 60.
Following the shootings, Hale was killed when she encountered officers on the second floor at 10:27 A.M., 14 minutes after the alarm was raised.
According to police reports, Hale carried at least two assault weapons and a handgun during the attack.
Subsequent investigation of her family home in Nashville uncovered meticulously drawn maps and a written manifesto detailing her planned assault.
The New York Times reports that Nashville Metropolitan Police Chief John Drake stated that they had recovered the shooter's manifesto and discovered plans that the shooter made on how the day will unfold.
He divulged that Hale had a more devastating attack in mind and had even drafted plans to target another nearby school.
However, she ultimately decided against carrying out the plan, citing the school's high level of security as a deterrent.
Chief Drake revealed that the shooter entered the building by firing through a side door, brandishing two assault-style weapons and a handgun.
While making her way to the second floor, the shooter opened fire before being neutralized by police. Surveillance footage the authorities released depicts the shooter driving up to the school in a Honda Fit.
The video captured the assailant shattering two sets of glass doors with bullets before entering the building through the broken glass.
Dressed in camouflage pants, a black vest, and a red baseball cap, the shooter was seen walking through rooms and hallways with a weapon in hand.
Rampant school shootings in America
Confusion about the gender identity of the shooter emerged in the immediate aftermath of the attack. Although officials referred to Hale as "she" and "her," according to a social media post and LinkedIn profile, the assailant appeared to identify as male in recent months.
According to ABC, Chief Drake confirmed that Hale identified as transgender, but it remains unclear how this information factors into the attack.
While he confirmed that the attack was intentional, he cautioned that it's premature to speculate on a motive. Currently, authorities are scrutinizing any written material and have initiated contact with the shooter's father for additional information.
Sadly, the Nashville school shooting is just the latest in a series of similar incidents that have rocked American families and communities. With every new incident, parents and children feel scared and vulnerable.
Parents, students, and teachers nationwide are calling for action to prevent school shootings.
Some advocate for stricter gun laws, while others argue for improved mental health services and school security measures.
Whatever the solution, it is clear that change is desperately needed to ensure that our schools remain safe havens for learning and growth.
