Parents ask not to release the writings of the author of the shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville
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Parents of The Covenant School, the Nashville school that was involved in a deadly March shooting that killed three 9-year-olds and three adults,
A group of parents whose children attend The Covenant School, the Nashville school that was involved in a deadly shooting in March that killed three 9-year-old children and three adults, filed a motion Wednesday to prevent the public release of the writings left by the shooter.
“Parents do not see that anything good can come from publication and wish to state that writing, which they believe to be dangerous and harmful writing because it comes from a mentally impaired person , should not be published at all,” part of the filing reads. the motion.
A few days ago, more than 60 Republicans in the Tennessee House of Representatives called for the writings left by the shooter, Audrey Hale, to be made public.
House Republican Caucus Chairman Jeremy Faison sent a letter Monday to Nashville Police Chief John Drake noting that a timely release of records is “critical to understanding shooter behavior and motives.”
Lawmakers are expected to meet for a special session to consider a proposal to take away firearms from people deemed dangerous to themselves or others.
In addition, three conservative groups had previously filed lawsuits to force Nashville police to turn over the records.
Covenant's parents are seeking to intervene in those cases, which were brought by the Tennessee Firearms Association, Star News Digital Media and the National Police Association, a nonprofit that says it works to educate people about how to help police departments.
In late April, police said they were reviewing the writings for publication. Even Tennessee Governor Bill Lee tweeted that the post would be coming “very soon.” However, a week later, the police reversed course, saying that due to the lawsuits, they would await direction from the court.
In addition to the parents, The Covenant School itself is asking to intervene, as well as the church that administers it, the Covenant Presbyterian Church, are also asking to intervene in the cases to prevent the publication of the writings.
On the morning of Monday, March 27, 28-year-old Audrey Hale entered the school with at least two assault rifles and a handgun and began firing multiple random shots at anyone in her path.
Just a few minutes later, police officers entered the building and gunned down the attacker.
Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs and William Kinney, all 9 years old, were shot dead. Katherine Koonce, 60, and the school's principal, Cynthia Peak and Mike Hill, both 61, also died.
A search warrant executed at Hale's home led to the seizure of more weapons and other evidence, including writings related to the shooting and other possible points of attack.
Police reported that Hale had been planning the shooting for months, further revealing that he was undergoing medical treatment for an “emotional disorder.”