Nashville school shooting – live: Evelyn Dieckhaus called ‘shining light’ as first funeral takes place

Shooter Audrey Hale’s manifesto is still to be released by Nashville police

Bodycam footage shows Nashville police searching Christian school for gunman

The funeral of Evelyn Dieckhaus, one of three nine-year-old children killed at the Covenant School shooting, took place on Friday afternoon in Nashville.

Evelyn was remembered as a “shining light” in the funeral, which was closed to the media, at the Woodmont Christian Church in the Green Hills neighbourhood of the city.

Before the service, the church’s senior minister, the Rev Clay Stauffer, described the youngster as “radiant.”

Evelyn was killed while leading her classmates to safety in response to a fire alarm seemingly tripped by the attacker, her family believes.

Services for substitute teacher Cynthia Peak, 61, and Hallie Scruggs, nine, will be held on Saturday. Nine-year-old William Kinney's funeral will take place on Sunday, while services for Mike Hill, 61, the school’s custodian, will be held on Tuesday and the funeral for head of school Katherine Koonce, 60, will take place on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, police have released the chilling 911 calls they received from inside the Covenant School as the shooter – since identified by law enforcement as Audrey Hale, 28, a former student of the private Christian elementary school – broke into the building and opened fire.

A manifesto written by the suspect is soon expected to released by officers investigating the deadly attack.

Key Points

• Student victim gunned down while leading friends to safety, family says
• First funerals of Nashville victims to take place
• Hundreds demand gun reform at Tennessee State Capitol
• Nashville shooting 911 calls capture terror inside school: ‘I’m hearing more shots, please hurry!’
• Audrey Hale’s manifesto ‘set to be released’ as motive speculation mounts

[31 March 2023 05:05 · Graeme Massie]

What we know about the victims of the Nashville school shooting

Pupils Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs and William Kinney, all aged nine, and staff members Katherine Koonce, Cynthia Peak and Mike Hill were all shot dead at The Covenant School on Monday.

Here’s a reminder of what we know about them.

[31 March 2023 05:30 · Namita Singh]

‘A constant beacon of joy’

The family of nine-year-old Evelyn Dieckhaus has been described by her family in her obituary as “a constant beacon of joy” who loved art, music, animals and snuggling with her older sister on the couch.

“With an unwavering faith in the goodness of others, Evelyn made people feel known, seen, but never judged,” they added.

“Her adoring family members agree that ‘she was everyone’s safe space.’”

In pre-school, Evelyn “would often position herself between two younger babies, intuitively offering comfort by patting their backs.” She would greet people with open arms and an infectious laugh, the obituary said.

This undated photo shows Evelyn Dieckhaus a student at The Covenant School in Nashville (AP)

Evelyn enjoyed crafting and drawing, and her teachers “would observe Evelyn studying the world around her with curiosity, eagerness, and clarity,” according to the obituary.

She also liked to sing along to tunes by Taylor Swift and from the Broadway show Hamilton. She also loved her dogs, Mable and Birdie, and wanted a rat for her 10th birthday present.

“Strong but never pushy, she had self-composure and poise beyond her years,” the obituary said. “This girl ‘could read a room.’”

[31 March 2023 06:40 · Namita Singh]

In video: Students swarm Tennessee State Capitol in gun satefy protest after Nashville shooting

[31 March 2023 08:30 · Namita Singh]

Some staff members at Nashville school were armed, 911 call reveals

Some staff members at The Covenant School were armed, a 911 call from the incident has revealed.

My colleague Sravasti Dasgupta has more details.

[31 March 2023 09:30 · Namita Singh]

Hundreds march into Tennessee State Capitol demanding gun reform after Nashville shooting

Mothers, children and angry voters waved placards and demanded action on Thursday outside the Tennessee State Capitol, and 200 protested entered the building, three days after yet another school shooter killed three adults and three nine-year-olds in Nashville.

Rally attendees told The Independent’s Sheila Flynn how they hope their fear — and furious cries — will motivate lawmakers to act.

[31 March 2023 10:30 · Joe Sommerlad]

‘We're scared for our lives every single day’

Here are a few more scenes from yesterday’s emotional demonstration at the Tennessee State Capitol as people gathered to demand action on gun control.

“You work for us! Not the NRA!” the protestors pointedly told lawmakers.

One woman held up a placard asking simply: “Am I next?”

[31 March 2023 11:00 · Joe Sommerlad]

Karine Jean-Pierre: ‘We’ve heard nothing from Republicans on what they will do to stop kids from being murdered in our schools’

In Washington yesterday, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre rebuked congressional Republicans for their inert response to the tragedy, typified by House speaker Kevin McCarthy’s limp appeal for pause until “all the facts” have been gathered.

In the Senate, Ted Cruz of Texas offered this utterly useless contribution and was rebuked for it by Connecticut Democrat Chris Murphy.

Meanwhile, former vice president (and possible Republican presidential contender in 2024) Mike Pence told Wolf Blitzer on CNN that the death penalty is the answer to mass shootings.

[31 March 2023 18:27 · Graeme Massie]

Students across Nashville plan Monday walkout protest

The walkout is scheduled for Monday 3 April with a march to the State Capitol organised by the March For Our Lives group.

“Precisely one week after the shooting at The Covenant School, youth from colleges and schools throughout Nashville will walk out of their classrooms and into the streets with the clear message: Stop fighting culture wars and start regulating weapons of war,” a statement from the group said.

[31 March 2023 18:52 · Graeme Massie]

Tennessee lawmaker wants officerrs toi receive Congressional gold medal

Congressman Andy Ogles, who represents Tennessee’s 5^th Congressional district, which includes The Covenant School, has filed paperwork for MNPD officers Michael Collazo and Rex Engelbert to receive the award.

“In the face of danger, Officers Engelbert and Collazo ran headfirst without hesitation. Their heroic actions were exemplary and selfless,” said Mr Ogles.

“Such bravery and valor deserve honor, which is why I have introduced the Covenant School Heroes Congressional Gold Medal Act. Officer Engelbert and Officer Collazo, thank you for your dedication to protecting your community from evil actors.

“The community of the Covenant School in Nashville will never be the same. The losses of Hallie Scruggs, Evelyn Dieckhaus, William Kinney, Dr. Katherine Koonce, Mark Hill, and Cynthia Peak will be felt for the rest of our earthly lives.”

Officer Rex Englebert and Officer Michael Collazo (MNPD)

[31 March 2023 19:46 · Graeme Massie]

First funerals of Nashville victims to take place

The first funeral for one of the victims of Monday’s horrific Nashville school shooting, nine-year-old Evelyn Dieckhaus, is set to take place on Friday as the Tennessee city mourns its dead. Attendees are being asked to wear pink and green to the ceremony.

Services for substitute teacher Cynthia Peak, 61, and Hallie Scruggs, nine, will be held on Saturday. Nine-year-old William Kinney's funeral will take place on Sunday, while services for Mike Hill, 61, the school's custodian, will be held on Tuesday and the funeral for head of school Katherine Koonce, 60, will take place on Wednesday.