Law enforcement officials are providing more details about the suspect in a school shooting in Nashville, Tennessee.
On Monday, officials identified 28-year-old Audrey Hale as the suspect in the shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville.
During a press conference, Nashville Police Chief John Drake called the shooting a “targeted attack.”
He revealed officials found a map of the school and a manifesto.
Drake also said officials believe the suspect was a former student of the school.
One reporter asked, “Does she identify as transgender?”
Drake said, “She does identify as transgender.”
Watch the video below:
BREAKING: Nashville police confirm that the shooter who targeted a Christian school today identifies as transgender pic.twitter.com/OK9AvlpyW1
— Washington Free Beacon (@FreeBeacon) March 27, 2023
After the name of the suspect was released, and before the press conference, some users on Twitter believed they had found the social media accounts of the suspect, which showed the person was transgender.
Six people were killed in the shooting, including three 9-year-olds who were identified as Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs, and William Kinney.
Three adults, Cynthia Peak, 61, Katherine Koonce, 60, and Mike Hill, 61, were also killed during the shooting.
Nashville PD has identified the 6 victims in the school shooting:
— Washington Free Beacon (@FreeBeacon) March 27, 2023
Evelyn Dieckhaus, age 9
Hallie Scruggs, age 9
William Kinney, age 9
Cynthia Peak, age 61
Katherine Koonce, age 60
Mike Hill, age 61
During an event at the White House, President Joe Biden called the shooting “sick.”
“We’re still gathering the facts of what happened and why. And we do know that as of now, there are a number of people who did not make it, including children,” he added.
The president went on, “We have to do more to stop gun violence. It’s ripping our communities apart.”
He also urged Congress to pass what he called an assault weapons ban.
