Nashville Covenant school Headmaster Hailed As Hero In Wake Of Shooting

2023-03-29 06:15:15 Written by Alex

The headmaster of The Covenant School, Katherine Koonce, was fatally shot on Monday by a former student who started shooting. Koonce had taught her students and staff how to react in case of a shooting. When the shooting happened, Koonce quickly took action to protect everyone.

According to Nashville City Councilman Russ Pulley, at approximately 10:13 a.m., Koonce was in the midst of an online meeting when the shooting incident occurred.

Katherine Koonce, 60, was killed in the Nashville school shooting, Monday, March 27, 2023.

Katherine Koonce, 60, was killed in the Nashville school shooting,

"It is my understanding from a witness at the school, that Katherine Koonce was on a Zoom call when she heard the first shot. She immediately ended the call, got up, and headed straight for the shooter,"
On Tuesday, Fox News Digital reported that Russ Pulley, a former FBI special agent, stated that he did not have information regarding the altercation that followed after the shooting incident.
"She did what principals and headmasters do; she protected her children," Pulley said.

On Tuesday, Nashville Police Chief John Drake spoke at a press conference and said that he didn't know what exactly Koonce did during the shooting, but she was found alone in a hallway. He also mentioned that it was clear there had been a confrontation. 
The pastor of Koonce's church, West End Community Church, notified the congregation of her passing on Monday.

"She gave her life in defense of the children under her care," Bourgeois wrote to church members.


Two other people who worked at the school, Cynthia Peak (a 61-year-old substitute teacher) and Mike Hill (a 61-year-old custodian), were also killed during the shooting.

Clockwise from top left, Dr. Katherine Koonce, Cynthia Peak, Hallie Scruggs and Mike Hill.

(Clockwise from top left, Dr. Katherine Koonce, Cynthia Peak, Hallie Scruggs and Mike Hill)


The Nashville Police Chief, John Drake, stated that Mike Hill, the custodian, was killed by the shooter while attempting to gain access to the school by shooting multiple rounds through the locked glass doors.
Upon arriving at the school, police officer Rex Engelbert was met outside by an unnamed staff member.


"The kids are all locked down but we have two kids that we don’t know where they are," The body camera footage shows the staff member describing the building layout to the officers. She can be heard saying:
With the help of a teacher and a rifle, Officer Engelbert led a team of officers into the school and began searching the classrooms.

Within minutes, the shooter fired at other officers from the second floor. The officers quickly made their way upstairs towards the sound of gunfire and were able to neutralize the shooter, who had two rifles and a handgun.

After the situation was under control, teachers and administrators escorted the students to a reunification area at Woodmont Baptist Church.
In addition to the school staff, three students - William Kinney, Hallie Scruggs, and Evelyn Dieckhaus - also lost their lives in the shooting.

The shooter, identified as 28-year-old Audrey Hale, had conducted surveillance on the school prior to the shooting. On the day of the shooting, Hale drove to the school and started firing. The police later discovered hand-drawn maps with detailed entry points to the building and a manifesto, which may provide insight into Hale's motive.

 

Audrey Hale purchased seven guns legally from five different gun stores in Nashville. During the shooting at The Covenant School, Hale used three of the firearms she had purchased.

Authorities suspect that Hale specifically targeted The Covenant School, which she had attended in the past. However, they do not believe that she targeted any individuals specifically.


 A LOOK AT THE BACKGROUND OF 28-YEAR-OLD AUDREY HALE WHO OPENED FIRE AT SCHOOL