Nashville, Tennessee – On March 27, 2023, a tragic school shooting at The Covenant School in the Green Hills neighborhood of Nashville resulted in the deaths of three children and three adults. The victims included three 9-year-olds – Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs, and William Kinney – as well as Cynthia Peak, 61, Katherine Koonce, 60, and Mike Hill, 61.
Two Metro Nashville Police Department officers took down the shooter, Audrey Hale, during the incident. Following the tragic event, students at The Covenant School had to temporarily relocate while the campus underwent renovations. The school is planning to have students back in the original building in the coming weeks.
To commemorate the one-year anniversary of the shooting, students were given a day off, and school leaders organized a modified chapel service for families who wanted to attend. Governor Bill Lee expressed his condolences, acknowledging the profound pain and sorrow experienced by the families affected by the tragedy.
In response to the shooting, the state legislature passed bills aimed at enhancing school security, and Governor Lee called for a special session focused on public safety in August 2023. Despite the passage of time, The Covenant School acknowledged on social media that the pain from the event still lingers.
The school’s Facebook post on the anniversary stated that the community continues to mourn the loss suffered a year ago. The school’s message emphasized the ongoing support for the affected families and the school community as they continue to heal from the tragedy.