Nashville school shooting updates: Three kids, three adults killed; female suspect dead

(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) — A shooter armed with two assault-style rifles and a handgun killed three students and three staff members at a Christian school in Nashville, Tennessee, on Monday morning, authorities said.

The suspect, identified by police as Audrey Hale, 28, of Nashville, had a detailed map of Covenant School, a school for students in preschool through sixth grade, and allegedly shot through the door to gain entry to the school, police said.

The children were identified by Nashville police as Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs and William Kinney, all 9 years old. The slain adults were identified as Cynthia Peak, 61; Mike Hill, 61, and Katherine Koonce, 60, who was the head of the school, according to police.

Peak was a substitute teacher and Hill was a custodian, according to investigators.

The suspect was shot and killed by authorities in a lobby area on the second floor of the school roughly 14 minutes after the 911 call was placed, according to police. Nashville Police Chief John Drake said the suspect was female and identified as transgender but didn’t immediately provide more details.

Drake also said authorities believe the suspect was a former student.

No one who was shot survived, officials said.

Drake said he “was literally moved to tears to see” the young students as they were “ushered out of the building.”

The suspect was armed with at least two assault-type rifles and a handgun, officials said. At least two of those weapons were purchased legally, investigators said.

The suspect had a map “of how this was all going to take place,” and writings, according to Drake. It appears the shooting was a targeted attack, according to the chief.

Authorities said the suspect entered the school through a side entrance and went from the first floor to the second floor, firing multiple shots. It appears all the doors were locked and the suspect allegedly shot through a door, officials said.

The shooting was reported at 10:13 a.m. and the suspect was dead by 10:27 a.m., according to police.

A car found near the school helped authorities identify the suspect, and authorities have now responded to the suspect’s home, Drake said.

Throughout the day and afternoon, students were reunited with concerned parents. Families of the staff said they were shocked with the violence that had transpired.

Alex Apple told ABC News Live that his mother works at the school’s front desk, and she was at her car when she got an alert saying to shelter in place.

“She got out of her car, heard the gunshots, so she fled,” he said.

The school has about 209 students and about 40 to 50 staff members, officials said. Police said the school does not have a school resource officer.

President Joe Biden called the shooting “a family’s worst nightmare.”

The president once again urged Congress to pass an assault weapons ban, saying, “It’s about time that we begin to make some more progress.”

First lady Jill Biden said Monday, “I am truly without words. Our children deserve better.”

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee tweeted that he’s “closely monitoring the tragic situation.”

“Please join us in praying for the school, congregation & Nashville community,” Lee said.

Nashville Mayor John Cooper thanked first responders for their swift action and called on Nashville residents to reach out and help one another.

“In this dark hour let us support each other,” he said during a news conference.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

ABC News’ Alex Faul and Molly Nagle contributed to this report.

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