Evelyn Dieckhaus,Cynthia Peak Obituary, Death; – The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department published the final report regarding the Covenant School shooting on Wednesday morning. This comprehensive 48-page document addresses various aspects, including the shooter’s motive, the planning stages, and a thorough account of the events during the attack.
On March 27, 2023, the tragic incident resulted in the deaths of six individuals, three of whom were children, at the Covenant School in Green Hills. The victims were identified as 9-year-olds Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs, and William Kinney, along with 61-year-old Cynthia Peak, 60-year-old Dr. Katherine Koonce, and 61-year-old Mike Hill.
The assailant, 28-year-old Audrey Hale, was fatally shot by Metro officers Rex Engelbert, a four-year veteran, and Michael Collazo, who has nine years of service.
According to the report, the shooter aimed for notoriety, and investigators sought to ascertain Hale’s mental state. The Metro police concluded that Hale acted independently in both the planning and execution of the attack.
The report indicates that there was no “manifesto” left behind, and Hale did not provide any documentation that clarified the motives behind the attack, the specific targeting of the Covenant School, or the intended outcomes of the assault. On the day of the shooting, investigators executed search warrants at the Hale family residence.
During the search, officers discovered two shotguns—one located in a bedroom closet and the other beside a desk in a bedroom. A suicide note was reportedly found on a desk in one of the rooms. Police reported that a total of 152 rounds were fired, comprising 126 rifle rounds and 26 9mm rounds, from the moment Hale began shooting at the school until the police fatally shot Hale.
Additionally, investigators uncovered various writings, artwork, sales receipts, and lists created by Hale, along with five cellphones, two laptops, VHS tapes, and several thumb drives. A legal dispute ensued regarding the release of the shooter’s writings. Families of Covenant School have sought to keep Hale’s writings confidential, and in the summer of 2024, a judge ruled in their favor.
