Audrey Elizabeth Hale, who killed three children and three adults at a Christian elementary school in Nashville, Tennessee, on Monday, was under medical treatment for an “emotional disturbance,” police said.
Nashville Police Chief John Drake told reporters Tuesday that he “was under medical care for an emotional disorder,” but did not release further details about the nature of the disorder. Hale was killed by the police at the school.
“The police did not know anything about the treatment he was receiving. But his parents felt that he shouldn’t have guns,” Drake said.
Police initially described her as a teenager and later as a 28-year-old white female. Hale was later revealed to be transgender, though police referred to the shooter by the gender assigned at birth.
Police also revealed that Hale had purchased seven firearms from five local gun stores, all legally.
She wrote to a friend: “This is my last goodbye. I love you. See you again in the afterlife.” The friend responded: “Audrey! You have much more life to live. I pray to God to keep them and cover them.” Hale responded: “I know, but I don’t want to live. Very sorry. I’m not trying to annoy you or get your attention. I just need to die. I wanted to tell you first because you are the most beautiful person I have ever seen and met in my entire life.”
And he continued: “My family does not know what I am about to do. One day this will make more sense. I have left more than enough evidence. But something bad is about to happen.”
His parents told police they knew he had bought and sold a gun, but apparently they were unaware that he had been hiding additional weapons around the house.
His motives for the murder remain unclear, but authorities say they found what Drake called “a bit of writing” as well as a map of the school. Hale had reportedly been a student at that very school, indicating a rehearsal in preparation for the attack.
Hale killed three nine-year-olds: Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs, and William Kinney, and three adults: Cynthia Peak, 61, Katherine Koonce, 60, and Mike Hill, 61.
