Nashville School Shooter Planned Attack For Notoriety

The shooter behind the fatal 2023 Nashville elementary school shooting that left six people dead, including three children, had been planning the attack for years while hiding their mental health issues from medical providers and hoping the carnage would bring notoriety and fame, a new report released Wednesday reveals.

The nearly 50-page investigative case summary by Metro Nashville Police closes the agency's probe into The Covenant School shooting. It provides chilling insights into the mind of Audrey Hale, the 28-year-old shooter, who bore no grudge against the school or its staff.

According to the report, Hale's primary motivation was "notoriety." Investigators concluded that she longed for her name and actions to be remembered long after she was dead, wanting absolute control over the narrative surrounding the attack. The report details how Hale viewed herself as a victim, even while planning the attack, and at times considered herself equal to those she would kill.

On March 27, 2023, Hale executed her plan at The Covenant School, where she killed three 9-year-olds—Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs, and William Kinney—along with three adults: Cynthia Peak, Katherine Koonce, and Mike Hill. The investigation found that Hale had meticulously planned the attack, researching other potential shooting locations, including highly traveled roads and shopping malls.

By December 2018, Hale began planning an attack at a different middle school, but her focus shifted to The Covenant School. She left behind a series of notebooks, art composition books, and media files documenting her planning and motivations. However, no manifesto was found.

Hale's actions on the day of the shooting were detailed in the report. She left her home at 8 a.m. CT, carrying a duffle bag and a backpack filled with firearms and ammunition. After a stop at a gun range, she arrived at the school at 9:53 a.m., where she sent a goodbye message to a friend before entering the building.

At 10:10 a.m., Hale began her attack using an AR pistol, killing custodian Mike Hill just a minute later. She then proceeded to kill the three children and substitute teacher Cynthia Peak within minutes. The first 911 calls were made at 10:13 a.m., around the same time headmaster Katherine Koonce left her office to investigate a fire alarm triggered by the smoke from Hale's shooting. Koonce was killed shortly thereafter.

Police arrived at the scene at 10:19 a.m., and Hale was shot and killed by officers at 10:24 a.m. as she fired upon them from a second-floor window. The report highlighted that despite Hale's extensive research, she failed to account for the active shooter response plans that many schools have implemented.

In the aftermath of the shooting, Hale's fascination with mass shootings became evident. The report noted that she was particularly inspired by the Columbine High School massacre, which had a profound impact on her planning. Hale studied the lives and motivations of shooters Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, viewing them as worthy of emulation.

Despite appearing to be a happy student in middle school, Hale struggled with the transition to high school and college. A therapist encouraged her to keep a journal, which later provided insights into her mental state. From 2018 onward, her entries became increasingly filled with anger, reflecting her growing frustrations.

Officers discovered several stuffed animals in Hale's car after the shooting, which they believed represented her only trusted companions. She had assigned them names and personalities, and they often accompanied her on her travels. This isolation and loneliness contributed to her distorted worldview.

The investigation cleared Hale's family, therapists, and gun retailers of any culpability, noting that the weapons were purchased legally in a state with few restrictions. The report addressed various theories proposed by outside parties regarding Hale's motives, stating that they could be easily debunked based on the available material.

In the wake of the tragedy, there were months of protests advocating for stricter gun laws. However, the report's release has reignited discussions about gun control and mental health awareness, as many families of victims expressed concern that sharing details about the shooter and the crime could inspire copycat violence.

Some family members found a degree of closure in the report, hoping it would quell speculation surrounding the attack. Dick Koonce, whose wife Katherine was killed, expressed his frustration over Hale's motivations, stating, "To learn that it was motivated by self-advancement, notoriety, was angering." He emphasized the importance of focusing on the victims rather than the shooter.

The investigation drew upon 16 notebooks, sketchbooks, social media accounts, videotapes, and available medical records, illustrating Hale's complex psyche. The absence of a clear motive and significant social media postings by Hale fueled rampant speculation, particularly after police revealed that she identified as transgender. This revelation led to intensified attacks on transgender individuals from right-wing activists, who sought to link Hale's gender identity to the shooting.

In summary, the investigation into the Covenant School shooting has provided critical insights into the mind of a troubled individual whose desire for notoriety culminated in a tragic loss of life. The findings underscore the need for ongoing dialogues about mental health, gun laws, and the societal fascination with infamy in the wake of such devastating events.