Shooter Kills 3 Children, 3 Adults At Private Christian School In Nashville
Photo courtesy of Metro Nashville Police Department.
A community is reeling after a shooter killed three children and three staff members at a small Christian school in Nashville, Tennessee, Monday morning.
Metro Nashville Police reportedly first received calls about an active shooter at 10:13 a.m. The shooter, who entered the school through a side entrance on the first floor, was carrying two rifles and a pistol, according to police spokesperson Don Aaron.
Police heard gunshots and engaged the shooter, described later as a 28-year-old Nashville woman, on the second floor where they shot and killed her. “By 10:27, the shooter was deceased,” Aaron said.
Authorities have not yet released the identities of the killer or victims.
A woman was seen praying among flower arrangements left at a memorial close to the entrance of Nashville's Covenant School. Photo credit: Justin Renfroe/EPA, via Shutterstock
Covenant School is a private Christian school in Nashville with students enrolled in preschool through sixth grade. It was founded in 2001 as a ministry of Covenant Presbyterian Church. On a normal class day, Aaron said there would be 209 students and 42 staff members on campus.
The fire department helped usher students out of the building, and they were bused to a nearby Baptist church to be reunited with their parents.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee tweeted: “I am closely monitoring the tragic situation at Covenant. … As we continue to respond, please join us in praying for the school, congregation & Nashville community.”
This article was originally posted at MinistryWatch.com. Christina Darnell is a freelance writer who has contributed to WORLD, The Charlotte Observer, and other publications.