Police release new Covenant shooting report, shooter motivated by 'notoriety'

Two years after the deadly mass shooting at the Covenant School in Nashville

we're now learning more about the shooter's motive. On March 27, 2023, 28-year-old former student, Audrey Hale killed three teachers and three nine-year-old children at the private Christian school

Nashville police released a full investigative report Wednesday, determining Hale, who was fatally shot by police officers at the scene of the attack, had no grudge against a school or staff

Police say Hale targeted the school to gain notoriety, and quote, she felt a personal connection to a place was necessary when selecting the location where she would die

According to police, Hale was born female and identified as transgender using he-him pronouns

But because Tennessee state law requires authorities to use a person's biological sex, the report refers to Hale using female pronouns

According to the report, Hale left behind several notebooks, art composition books, and music

media files intentionally to be found and yzed, documenting a plan for the attack

Police say Hale was fascinated by mass shootings rating shooters based on the number of people they murdered and considered those who killed a low number of people to be amateurs According to the report Hale was mostly fascinated with the 1999 Columbine High School shooting when students Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold killed 13 people

Police say Hale focused on the notoriety Harris and Clebold achieved following their death, which, quote, led to them becoming gods

Investigators determined Hale was sane, but evidence suggested, worsening anxiety, depression, and rage, as well as feelings of chronic loneliness and disappointment

often writing her death needed to matter and be remembered. Police say Hale took a guided tour of the school in 2021, claiming to be an alum who wanted

to reminisce about her time in elementary school. But really, Hale was casing the school and discreetly photographed different locations

The investigation determined no criminal charges will be placed against anyone in connection to Hale

and that no one else knew of or helped plan the attack. Investigators at the shooter's parents assisted their daughter with getting mental health care

For Straight Arrow News, I'm Kaylee Carey. For all your latest news headlines, download the Straight Arrow News app today