Audrey Hale sent a text at 9:57 Monday morning, March 27th 2023. An instagram DM to a former classmate, warning that something bad was about to happen and letting her know she was not going to survive and this was her goodbye. She wasn’t the only one who didn’t make it out of the building that day.

Three young students, a substitute teacher, the head of their school and its custodian. All went to school at the Covenant School, a private elementary school on the grounds of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Nashville’s Green Hills neighborhood. All went expecting to come home again and resume their daily lives, sadly those six did not make it back home to their families that night.

Audrey Hale’s plan unfolded quickly. Independent News gives us a play by play. At 10:10am she arrived in her Silver Honda Fit. Leaving her car, she entered the school by a side door before shooting through a pair of glass double doors to gain entrance to a central hallway.

The first 911 call reportedly came in at 10:12, informing police of an active shooter in the school. Hale roams the halls for around 17 minutes, searching for victims, opening fire on staff and students as sirens ring out around the school.

911 calls released, hearing a teacher whispering in the phone and alarms ringing out behind. She whispers frantically telling the dispatcher “yes, I hear another shot… I’m hearing more shots.” as her voice quivers. Begging the dispatchers for help “Please hurry” as the dispatcher reassures her “They’re coming, they’re coming.” asking her to remain quiet.

CNN states at 10:18 timestamped surveillance shows footage of Hale inside the school armed with multiple weapons walking down a hallway.

It was 10:24am when Nashville officers arrived at the school. Officers reportedly heard gunshots on the second floor and rushed up the stairs as the shots grew louder. Body cam worn by Rex Engelbert shows him rushing out of his vehicle and getting his own firearm as a staff member from the school tells him where the shooter is expected to be along with students’ locations. Three armed officers can be seen clearing rooms as they search for the heavily armed attacker.

At 10:27am, Officer Rex Engelberts body cam shows him finding the shooter and firing about 4 rounds and Hale collapsing. CNN says Officer Michael Collazo then moved toward the shooter and the gun appeared to still be in the assailiant’s hand. Collazo’s body cam shows him firing at the attacker four times on the ground with his hand gun repeatedly shouting “Stop Moving!” The officers then fully approached Hale moving the gun away and radioed “Suspect down!”

3:10 pm that same afternoon, Chief Drake later says that “resentment” may have been a factor in Hale’s motivations, adding: “There’s some belief that there was some resentment for having to go to that school… She targeted random students in the school… whoever she came in contact with, she fired rounds.”

Each of the victims who passed in the shooting had their own stories and something to give to the world, now taken away.

Evelyn Dieckhaus at just 9 years old, was described as a beaming “light” radiating joy and warmth, her family wrote in her obituary. The family also wrote that her now grieving older sister Eleanor, was her best friend. She was passionate about crafting, music, and animals, especially her dogs Mable and Birdie. Evelyn had a growing collection of stuffed tigers, all named Tony. But that day she went from stuffed animals to saving lives.

The New York Post mentions how it’s now believed Audrey Hale had pulled the fire alarm to get the students out of their classrooms. Evelyn Dieckhaus was at the front of that line, with the hope of leading her classmates and friends to safety.

Evelyn’s aunt Kelly Dorrance stated in an instagram post, “She was trying to lead her classmates to safety and possibly didn’t hear the shouts to come back in the room. Things children should never worry about.”

Mike Hill, or known as “Big Mike” to the students, was one of the school’s custodians and kitchen staff. He was certainly a light at the elementary school. According to the families gofundme post “Per his family, he took great pleasure and found tremendous joy in his job and through those students.” Brittany Hill, one of his daughters, added on in a facebook post saying he “absolutely loved” his job.

According to CNN, Hill had 7 children and 14 grandchildren. His children now left without a father, and 14 grandchildren who must grow up without their grandfather.

Another 9 year old, Hallie Scruggs was also lost in the shooting. Her aunt said she had a “love for life” that bounded through her, from her smile and her “always on the go” spirit. Kara Arnold, her aunt according to CNN, had spoken openly about Hallie’s life in a recent Facebook post.

“To watch her these past 9 years has been a gift and a privilege, I have often longed for a daughter and Hallie embodied all of those things I’d want in my own little girl.” She adds on describing Hallie as incredibly smart, feisty enough to keep up with her 3 brothers and my 4 boys, a love for life that kept her smiling and running and jumping and playing and always on the go” she wrote.

It’s hard to even begin comprehending the shock of losing anyone, but especially a child so young in such a tragic way. Kara Arnolds adds on to this in her Facebook post “We are grieving so deeply. And for my brother and sister in law and my nephews who are living the most unspeakable nightmare. We hurt with you and wish we could take your hurt away.”

The list of victims continues as Katherine Koonce, the head of the school, was also reported dead, believed to have lost her life trying everything in her power to change the heart wrenching outcome of another school shooting.

CNN was told Christian music singer Steven Curtis Chapman and Koonce were close friends, he told CNN’s Anderson Cooper “We knew Katherine was there, we knew she was the head of the school, and my wife even said … ‘I know her well enough to know that she was probably doing everything she could to change this story, to stop this thing from happening, to talk to this person, whatever she could do,’” he said.

Another young life lost was William Kinney. Along with his classmates, he was only 9 years old. “Will had an unflappable spirit. He was unfailingly kind, gentle when the situation called for it, quick to laugh, and always inclusive of others. He loved his sisters, adored his parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and was always excited to host friends of every age. Sweet Will knew no strangers..” said the Kinneys GoFundMe page, hosted by Rachael Freitas, a friend of the Kinneys.

Karen Mittenzwei commented adding onto the post “no child should ever die at the hands of a gun. My heart is broken for this family. Nothing can help but I hope they find some peace in knowing how many others all over the world share their pain and have contributed to help out. God Bless you and keep you all safe.”

Cynthia Peak, 61, a substitute teacher, also died in the massacre. Cynthia was close friends with Tennessee first lady Maria Lee according to CNN. “Cindy and Maria and Katherine Koonce were all teachers at the same school and have been family friends for decades,” Bill Lee said in a video message,adding on a call of faith. “There is hope in the midst of great tragedy because God is a redeemer. What is meant for evil can be turned for good. May we grieve in the days ahead, but not without hope. May we also act with wisdom, discernment, and grace. And may we love, especially those who have lost.” Bill Lee said in a video call.