During a candlelight vigil in Nashville on Wednesday evening, a former local school administrator, Tricia Drake, told ABC News that she couldn't stop thinking about her last conversation with Koonce, who she said had advised her on how to best prepare for an active shooter scenario. He said the police were in touch with the shooters father, and that it was not immediately clear when the assailant had attended the school. (Seth Herald/Getty Images) The Covenant School that was the . "It took my breath away," Owen said when he learned about Peak's death. Emily Cochrane reported from Nashville. Debate about releasing Nashville school shooter's manifesto gets heated More than 270 people were fatally shot or wounded in shootings on school grounds last year, compared to 159 in 2018, the year of the school shooting in Parkland, Fla., according to the database. The police received a report of the shooting at 10:13 a.m., and heard gunshots on the second floor, he said. First published on March 29, 2023 / 9:38 AM. Demonstrating how frequent such shootings have become, her family happened to be on a vacation in Tennessee visiting her sister-in-law on Monday when yet another shooting took place in their vicinity, this one claiming the lives of three children and three adults. Hills family said in a statement that he was the father of seven children and had 14 grandchildren. "We are grateful for the hope of Heaven. Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House press secretary, told reporters at a news briefing on Monday that there were no plans for Mr. Biden to address congressional Republicans directly on the issue. ", "We will never stop missing her," they added. Updated: Mar 29, 2023 / 09:42 AM CDT. "She gave her life to protect the students she loved. She just believed that I have more to give and I did, he said. Wearing camouflage pants, a black vest and a backward red baseball cap, the assailant walks through rooms and hallways with a weapon drawn. The school was founded in 2001 as a ministry of the church, according to the school's website. Rachel Dibble, whose children attend a different private school in Nashville, had also visited with Covenant families, some of whom she knew through youth sports. Three 9-year-old children and three adults were killed Monday in a shooting at a private Christian elementary school in Nashville, Tennessee, police said. President Biden called on Congress to pass an assault weapons ban following the school shooting in Nashville. The shooter in this situation reportedly had two assault weapons and a pistol, Mr. Biden said during a small-business event at the White House, referring to reports by local officials. The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department identified the victims as. For Caudill, who grew up in several male-led Christian denominations, Koonce had remarkable leadership skills and was the first woman in such a setting to encourage her to keep learning and pursuing her life goals. Cindy Peak is seen in this undated photo. Tuition costs around $16,000 a year. Tennessee Gov. Investigators are reviewing video footage from the school, the police said at a news conference. Funerals set for Nashville school shooting's 6 victims "Maria woke up this morning without one of her best friends, Cindy Peak," Lee said in a video address on Tuesday evening. Calling the Nashville shooting sick and a familys worst nightmare, President Biden again pushed Congress on Monday to enact gun-control legislation. This story will be updated as additional information is confirmed. At a vigil for the victims, according to the Tennessean, her two-years-older sister was seen crying and saying: I dont want to be an only child., Hallie Scruggs, nine, was a student in the third grade and the daughter of Chad Scruggs, the senior pastor of Covenant Presbyterian church, the schools sponsor. Within 14 minutes, a team of five officers followed sounds of gunfire to a second floor lobby where they fatally shot the suspect. Covenant School Shooting: Everything known about Nashville school Tennessee Gov. Tennessee Gov. Our children deserve a life free from worry of being gunned down while learning their ABCs., Representative Andy Ogles, Republican of Tennessee, who represents the district where the Covenant School is, said that he and his family were devastated by the tragedy and that, as a father of three, he was particularly distraught by this senseless act of violence.. Nashville School Shooting: What We Know About the Victims "We are grateful for the prayers of many on our behalf, and we pray for the families of the six others who died.". "I don't know the details yet. 4 of 5 | . 22 likes, 0 comments - Chauncey Dandridge (@djchaunceyd) on Instagram: "Vigil/Action for Victims of The Covenant School Shooting in Tennessee Monday, April 3rd 6:30 NY P . Barrett Severance, 33, credited Koonce with helping him to graduate high school. For Caudill, who grew up in several male-led Christian denominations, Koonce had remarkable leadership skills and was the first woman in such a setting to encourage her to keep learning and pursuing her life goals. Authorities identified the victimsas 9-year-olds Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs and William Kinney, as well as 61-year-old Cynthia Peak, 61-year-old Mike Hill and 60-year-old Katherine Koonce, who was the head of The Covenant School. ", In another statement, the family told ABC News that they "are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support. When he was greeting, he dressed just like he was going to meet the president, Bachmann said, adding Hill would wear a suit and tie and his shoes polished. On its Facebook page on Tuesday, The Covenant School said the community is in shock coming out of the terror that shattered our school and church. Previous posts show snapshots of students smiling on field trips, performing in Christmas plays and celebrating basketball wins. Covenant Presbyterian Church is part of a conservative evangelical denomination. There were often games of hangman and laughter coming from the back porch, he said. She was raised in Leesville, Louisiana, according to KALB, and graduated from Texas Christian University. / CBS News. a fatal shooting at a private Christian elementary school in Tennessee's capital city. Nashville victims: three nine-year-olds and school head among six shot Marlene Lenthang, Antonio Planas and Daniella Silva in New York and Jake Lubbehusen in Washington contributed reporting. A police officer walks by an entrance to The Covenant School after a shooting in Nashville, Tenn., March 27, 2023. That led to a temporary drop in gun crime and shootings of police officers, according to a study by the Justice Department. Last month, the Justice Department announced a $200 million program to fund state crisis intervention programs in an effort to reduce gun violence. The tragic incident marked America's 129th mass shooting of 2023, according toGun Violence Archive, a nonprofit which tracks gun violence data. The two share a location. A person kneels in front of an entry to Covenant School which has become a memorial for shooting victims, Tuesday, March 28, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis) Nashville School . the Covenant School, a small, private Christian school. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? All rights reserved. ABC News' Miles Cohen, Duan Perrin and Lisa Siversten contributed to this report. She fought for her students oftentimes after we quit fighting for ourselves, he said. I think thats the best way to honor her memory.. "We are grateful for the hope of Heaven. Katherine Koonce, a victim in The Covenant School shooting in Nashville, Tenn., March 27, 2023. Three children at the Covenant School in the Tennessee capital were shot dead on Monday, the 129th US mass shooting this year. William Kinney, 9, was identified by police as one of the children killed in the Nashville school shooting. State House to honor Covenant School victims with memorial resolutions Cynthia Peak was a substitute teacher at the Covenant School, according to police. The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department identified the victims as. We are heartbroken Through tears we trust that she is in the arms of Jesus, who will raise her to life once again.. While those involved fewer than four victims and so were not considered mass shootings, every one of these incidents has a profound impact on everyone involved in the entire school shooting, and they are happening, like, every day, said David Riedman, the researcher behind the K-12 School Shooting Database, which tracks gun incidents on school grounds and has found campus gun violence to be increasing in frequency. Mr. DeYoungs church, too, has a school attached to it. Dr. Katherine Koonce, the head of school at The Covenant School, was an educator for more than 30 years. "Cindy was supposed to come over to have dinner with Maria last night after she filled in as a substitute teacher yesterday at Covenant.". Three students and three staff members were shot and killed at the Covenant School in Nashville on Monday morning. ", According to Peak's brother Bill Broyles, "She had an unwavering faith in Christ. The shooting happened at a private Christian school. Bill Lee said his wife, Maria, was "best friends" with Peak. William Kinney, nine, was a student at the Covenant school. Surveillance video shows an attacker whom the police identified as Audrey E. Hale driving up to the Covenant School in Nashville, and then shooting out the entrance doors to get into the building. The police received a report of the shooting at 10:13 a.m. and heard gunshots on the second floor when they arrived at the school, a police spokesman, Don Aaron, said. Stunned," Drake said. The children adore him, he adores his wife, Mr. Duncan said in an interview on Monday. FILE - A woman prays near the likeness of four of the victims as she visits a memorial at the entrance to The Covenant School on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. Family and friends of Michael Hill, the 61-year-old custodian killed during a shooting on Monday, March 27, at a small Christian elementary school in Nashville, gathered on Tuesday, April 4, to mourn their loss. Melissa Trevathan, 74, said she had known Dr. Koonce for years, in part because of Ms. Trevathans work with children as the owner of a counseling business. Nashville authorities have confirmed that the shooter gained entrance to the Covenant School by shooting through a glass door before killing six people. The world is missing a sweet soul who cared about people, Owen said. Another former student, Robert Gay, also knew Koonce at Christ Presbyterian Academy, which he attended from 2000 to 2006. Two of the victims were school. In the latest episode of gun violence that has devastated American families and communities, the assailant opened fire just after 10 a.m. inside the Covenant School, in the affluent Green Hills neighborhood, where children in preschool through sixth grade had just begun their final full week of classes before Easter break. Dr. Koonce was the head of school, according to the school website. Michael Hill was one of six people killed on Monday, March 27, 2023, in the shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville, Tenn. (Family photo via AP) This undated image provided by the family of Cynthia Peak, shows Cynthia Peak, a substitute teacher at The Covenant School in Nashville. I know she's going to come out. People attend a vigil for those killed in a mass shooting at the Covenant School on Monday. He liked to cook and spend time with family.". She loved people and students and children and families in a way that she would describe as loving them through Gods eyes, he said. They look wonderful in a picture, but they are really like that., Covenant is a very well known church within the denomination, said Kevin DeYoung, the pastor of another prominent P.C.A. John Amis/AP. Chauncey Dandridge on Instagram: "Vigil/Action for Victims of The Nashville School Shooting: What We Know - The New York Times Memorial grows at The Covenant School as Nashville mourns shooting victims ", "We will never stop missing her," they added. Still, the shooting in Nashville was just one of several instances of gun violence on school campuses in the last week alone. We pray its an opportunity to show how the gospel gives us a hope the world cant understand.. A memorial at the gates of the Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee, continues to grow filled with flowers, stuffed animals and balloons in honor of the six people, including three children, who were killed in Monday's shooting. Three students and three staff members were shot and killed at the Covenant School in Nashville on Monday morning. I definitely credit my graduation date to her not giving up on me.. Cynthia Peak was a substitute teacher at the Covenant School, according to police. Kitty Bennett and Kirsten Noyes contributed research. These were some of the victims of Monday's rampage at The Covenant School in Nashville, where three students and three adults were killed. How many children have to be murdered before Republicans will support passing an assault weapons ban, she asked. How did a teen sleepover turn into a murder investigation? "He loved his sisters, adored his parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and was always excited to host friends of every age. Victims of the Covenant School shooting in Nashville include young children, head of school, custodian | CNN Young children, the head of their school and its custodian. May 20, 2023. Here's what we know about Monday morning's mass shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville. 2023 www.tennessean.com. Follow the latest updates on the Covenant School shooting as they happen in our live blog here. Here's what we know about the slain so far: Evelyn Dieckhaus was a third-grader at the Covenant School, according to her family. Before Koonce took the top role with Covenant, Anna Caudill, a former art teacher, worked with her for almost a decade at Christ Presbyterian Academy, another Christian school in the area connected to a Presbyterian Church in America congregation. Ms. Trevathan, who had come with Pippa, a therapy dog in training, to offer support, characterized Dr. Koonce as very magnetic and strong, and recalled her passion for education, sense of humor and love for adventure. He was a father of seven children and 14 grandchildren. A job that everyone knows he loved. Daniel Diermeier, the chancellor of Vanderbilt University, in Nashville, said in an email to alumni that Dr. Koonce was a 1985 graduate of the universitys Peabody College of Education and Human Development. Please enter valid email address to continue. ABC News' Miles Cohen, Jaclyn Lee, Duan Perrin, Lisa Siversten, Briana Stewart and Victor Ordoez contributed to this report. "He liked to cook and spend time with family," they told ABC News in a statement. Another pastor, Jim Bachmann, said Hill was "one of those people you cannot not like" and that he made a point of learning the names of all the students and talking to them. Elizabeth Chuck is a reporter for NBC News who focuses on health and mental health, particularly issues that affect women and children. The Nashville Fire Department said on Twitter that a reunification area had been set up at a nearby church for parents to meet their children. Mike Hill, one of the three adult victims of the shooting, was The Covenant Schools beloved custodian who had been employed at the school for over a decade. Friends described her as a loving friend and natural teacher. "Our hearts are completely broken," the Dieckaus family said in a statement. Drake, who declined to say the name of the Nashville school she used to work for, said she underwent the same active shooter training that Koonce used and that the key is to adopt a "warrior mentality," accepting injury rather than death. Hallie, another child killed in the shooting, was the daughter of Chad Scruggs, a pastor at Covenant Presbyterian Church. "You don't expect something like this. Officials used she and her to refer to the shooter, and Chief Drake said that the assailant identified as transgender. You know? Mr. Biden has repeatedly called for such a ban in recent public speeches and visits, including during a recent visit to Monterey Park, Calif., where a gunman killed 11 people at a dance studio in January. The school was founded in 2001 as a ministry of the Covenant Presbyterian Church, according to the schools website. Covenant School student William Kinney was "quick to laugh" with an "unflappable spirit" and a gentle, "unfailingly kind" spirit, Kinney family friend Rachael Freitas wrote, on a verified GoFundMe website published Tuesday. ABC News' Miles Cohen, Duan Perrin and Lisa Siversten contributed to this report. Its blown me away, he said. March 29, 2023 / 9:38 AM She was a devout follower of the Lord, Jesus. "Her favorite roles in life were being a mom to her three children, a wife to her husband, and an educator to students. She then is seen using a key to unlock the door so officers could go inside. He remembered her going carefully through each page of a math lesson, making sure that he understood every problem. ", "We are heartbroken," Chad Scruggs told ABC News in a statement. Officers went there, saw the assailant shooting, and two of the officers opened fire, killing the assailant at 10:27 a.m. in a lobby-type area on the second floor, Mr. Aaron said. The online portfolio included illustrations related to businesses around Nashville, including logos and splashy advertisements for a restaurant, a toy store and a video company. At a Woodmont Christian Church vigil Monday evening, senior minister Clay Stauffer shared through tears and a shaky voice a story about Evelyn. Funerals begin for 6 victims of Nashville school shooting Timeline of The Covenant School shooting in Nashville - CNN She was a strong believer. She never wavered in her faith and we know she is wrapped in the arms of Jesus. I have watched school shootings happen over the years and never thought I would lose a loved one over a person trying to solve a temporary problem with a permanent solution. Tim Dunavant, a Methodist pastor who told the BBC that he first hired Hill more than a decade earlier, said that he would miss Hills encouraging texts out of the blue and that he would not be surprised if Hill had sacrificed himself to save others because hes the kind of guy that would do that. ", "As we grieve and try to grasp any sense of understanding of why this happened, we continue to ask for support," they added. Its about time that we begin to make some progress.. There was confusion about the gender identity of the assailant in the immediate aftermath of the attack. Stunned, he parked his truck and walked up a mountainside. The attacker went from the first floor to the second floor, firing multiple shots, Mr. Aaron said. How is this still happening? Investigators were still looking into the motive for the shooting as details about the lives it cut short emerged. The Covenant School, a private Christian school for children in preschool through sixth grade, has about 209 students and 40 to 50 staff members. Hill, 61, the school custodian, was a sweet man who was called Big Mike, according to a former Covenant pastor. Three children and three adults were killed in the Nashville Christian school shooting. Chad Scruggs described his daughter as "such a gift. Beginning last May, the shooter worked as a shopper for a grocery delivery company, according to a LinkedIn profile. Nashville school shooting: What to know about the 6 victims "Maria woke up this morning without one of her best friends, Cindy Peak," Lee said in a video address on Tuesday evening. Nashville shooting timeline: How the massacre unfolded at the Covenant People will be praying for Covenant Presbyterian, for Chad and for that school, he said. ", "We are raising funds for both funeral expenses, as well as buying the family time to grieve in the way they need to without financial urgency," Freitas said. At one point, Covenant Presbyterian Church had as many as 2,200 members, according to the online biography of a former pastor, Jim Bachmann. Her LinkedIn profile says she has led the school since July 2016. The attacker, who was identified by the police as a 28-year-old from Nashville named Audrey Hale, had entered the Covenant School through a side door, armed with two assault-style rifles and a handgun, the spokesman, Don Aaron, said at the news conference. Jamie McGee contributed reporting from Nashville. "I'm representing a lot of people when I say she pulled us across the finish line often times after we quit," Severance said. Some, she said, were debating how to manage the rest of the day after such a traumatic morning. Pastor Tim Dunavant, of the Hartsville First United Methodist Church, said that he hired Hill to work at Covenant more than a decade ago. Because thats how he treated everybody, she said. Do we not ask them what they saw? Barrett Severance, a former student of Koonce's at another school, described her as "a champion for all students" and someone full of life who "had a lot more to give.". Deon Hampton reported from Nashville and Elizabeth Chuck from New York. In blog posts and videos, Koonce often stressed the importance of the school's staff loving their students and making students feel valued. ", "We are heartbroken," he told ABC News in a statement. The Covenant School, a private Christian school for children in preschool through sixth grade, has about 209 students and 40 to 50 staff members. I want a politician to sit in a church with families and 250 kids downstairs that are white as a sheet and trembling and gray and yellow and green and blue because of the shock., Speaking of the students, she added: They started this morning, they had their cute little uniforms on, they probably had some Froot Loops. Evelyn was a shining light in this world. "Cindy and Maria and Katherine Koonce were all teachers at the same school and have been family friends for decades," Lee said in a video address on Tuesday evening. A statement from Koonces family released Wednesday called her devoted to her family, her friends, and especially the children she cared for., She gave her life to protect the students she loved, the statement said, adding: We are grateful for the prayers of many on our behalf, and we pray for the families of the six others who died.. "We cannot believe this has happened. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Six people were killed at a small, private Christian school just south of downtown Nashville on Monday after a shooter opened fire inside the building of about 200 students, police said. Most incidents of gun violence on school campuses, including active shooter incidents, happen at high schools. Bill Lee revealed that Peak was one of the first lady's best friends. Reporting was also contributed by Sarah Mervosh, Emily Schmall, Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, Daniel Victor, Ruth Graham and Victoria Kim. David Begnaud is the lead national correspondent for "CBS Mornings" based in New York City. Of the three 9-year-old children whose lives were abruptly ended, one was Hallie Scruggs; she was the daughter of Chad Scruggs, the pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church, according to a biography published online by his former church in Dallas. "She wasn't Wonder Woman, but I never saw the two in the same place," she said. Mike Hill is seen here in an undated file photo. It is unthinkable that this has happened in our little town.". "Through tears we trust that she is in the arms of Jesus who will raise her to life once again.". After spending time in Woodmont Baptist, Melissa Trevathan, the owner of a counseling ministry, grieved the loss of Dr. Koonce, whom she said she had gotten to know through her work with children. "It is our privilege to honor Katherine's legacy and to celebrate her remarkable spirit," they said.