‘Deeply saddened’: CMS interim superintendent releases statement after Nashville school shooting

CHARLOTTE — Interim Superintendent Dr. Crystal Hill released a statement regarding Monday’s deadly school shooting in Nashville.

Three students and three school staff members were killed at a private Christian grade school in Nashville, according to authorities.

“As interim superintendent of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of three students and three adults at The Covenant School in Nashville,” Hill said Tuesday. “My heart goes out to the families and friends of those who have been affected by this terrible event.”

Hill said the safety and well-being of CMS students remain a top priority and the district will revisit safety protocols and procedures.

Support and counseling will also be available as needed.

“We will also be providing counseling and support to our students and staff as needed. It is important that we come together as a community to support each other during this difficult time,” Hill said.

Three of the victims were 9-year-old students at the school: Evelyn Dieckhaus, William Kinney and Hallie Scruggs. The adults killed were Mike Hill, 61, a janitor at the school; Cynthia Peak, 61, a substitute teacher; and Katherine Koonce, 60, the head of the school.

The shooter was identified by police as Audrey Elizabeth Hale, 28, from Nashville, The Associated Press reported. Police said officers shot and killed Hale as shots were being fired in a lobby-like area on the second floor of The Covenant School.

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Hill assured in her statement that CMS will continue to take steps to ensure safety.

“I want to reassure our parents, families and students that we are taking all necessary steps to ensure that our schools remain safe and secure. We will continue to monitor the situation and take appropriate action as needed,” Hill said.

The full statement from Hill can be read below:

“As interim superintendent of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of three students and three adults at The Covenant School in Nashville. My heart goes out to the families and friends of those who have been affected by this terrible event.

The safety and well-being of our students and staff remains a top priority. While we review our safety protocols and procedures on a regular cadence, we will revisit and reinforce our safety protocols and procedures to ensure that our schools are as safe as possible. Through our ongoing partnership with local law enforcement agencies, we will continue our work to ensure that our schools are secure and that our students and staff are protected.

We will also be providing counseling and support to our students and staff as needed. It is important that we come together as a community to support each other during this difficult time.

I want to reassure our parents, families and students that we are taking all necessary steps to ensure that our schools remain safe and secure. We will continue to monitor the situation and take appropriate action as needed.

Once again, my thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the individuals who lost their lives in this senseless act of violence. We will do everything in our power to prevent such tragedies from occurring in our community.”

The Associated Press contributed to this to report.

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