Police have stated that the attacker who killed six students at a Nashville school had been plotting the attack for months.
Audrey Hale found journals in her car and bedroom that outlined plans for “committing mass murder at The Covenant School”, according to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department.
Three nine-year old students and three adults were shot to death at the private Christian school on the 27th of March.
According to police, Hale “considered other mass murderers’ actions” but they are still trying to determine a motive.
According to the police, the writings are still being reviewed.
Hale, a former student of the school, shot a total 152 rounds during the incident including 26 nine-millimetre rounds and 126 rifle rounds before being shot by police.
Evelyn Dieckhaus and Hallie Scruggs were the children killed in the shooting.
Katherine Koonce (60), Mike Hill (61), and Cynthia Peak (61), were all killed.
Students in Nashville protested gun violence at the Tennessee Capitol Monday by walking out of class. On 30 March, parents and children marched to the Capitol holding signs that read “Attend school shouldn’t be a death sentence.”
Bill Lee, Tennessee’s governor, presented proposals to provide enough funding for a school resource officer to be placed in every public school. He also proposed to increase security and mental health resources.
Monday’s announcement was the governor’s first public address since the shooting.
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What we know about Audrey Hale, the killer Audrey Hale
According to police, Hale was being treated by a doctor for an undisclosed emotional disorder. However, they have not confirmed that there is any connection between the medical treatment and the shooting.
In the days leading up to the shooting, Averianna patton, a former basketball player of Hale, said that the 28-year old sent her Insta messages in which she talked about not wanting life anymore and stated that their family didn’t know what they were doing.
Ms. Patton claimed she saw the messages on Monday at 9.57 AM (UK time). This was less than 20 minutes after police stated that they were informed about an attack at Covenant School.
Hale, in their last message, said that something terrible was about to occur and asked forgiveness.
According to social media accounts and other sources, Hale was identified as a transgender male.