- Two years after the Covenant School shooting, police released details revealing that Audrey Hale, the shooter, targeted the school for notoriety. Hale was 28 at the time of the shooting.
- Hale was fascinated by mass shootings, particularly the 1999 Columbine attack, and left behind notebooks with documented plans.
- The investigation concluded that Hale was mentally sane, though struggling with anxiety, depression and loneliness.
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Two years after the deadly mass shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville, police released more information about the shooter’s motive.
On March 27, 2023, 28-year-old former student Audrey Hale killed three teachers and three children at the private Christian school.
The full investigative report, which came out Wednesday, April 2, determined Hale, who was fatally shot by police officers at the scene of the attack, had no grudge against the school or staff.
What was Hale’s motive?
Police said Hale targeted the school to gain notoriety, and “she felt a personal connection to a place was necessary when selecting the location where she would die.”
According to police, Hale was born female and identified as transgender using he/him pronouns.
But, because Tennessee state law requires authorities to use a person’s biological sex, the report refers to Hale using female pronouns.
What did police find in the items Hale left behind?
According to the report, Hale left behind several notebooks, art composition books and media files intentionally, to be found and analyzed, documenting a plan for the attack.
Police said Hale was fascinated by mass shootings and rated shooters based on the number of people they murdered, considering those who killed a low number of people to be “amateurs.”
Hale was most fascinated with the 1999 Columbine High School shooting when students Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold killed 13 people.
Police said Hale focused on the notoriety Harris and Klebold achieved following their death, which “led to them becoming Gods.”
Did Hale have mental health issues?
Investigators determined Hale was sane, but evidence suggested worsening anxiety, depression and rage, as well as feelings of chronic loneliness and disappointment, often writing that her death needed to matter and be remembered.
Police said Hale took a guided tour of the school in 2021, claiming to be “an alum who wanted to reminisce about her time in elementary school.”
But really, Hale was casing the school and “discreetly photographed different locations.”
The investigation determined that no criminal charges would be filed against anyone in connection with Hale, and that no one else knew of or helped plan the attack.
Investigators added the shooter’s parents assisted their daughter with getting mental health care.
