Seven people have reportedly been killed in a school shooting in Nashville, Tennessee. A 28-year-old female suspect, who has not yet been publicly identified, is alleged to have opened fire at the Covenant School, killing at least three adults and three children at the private Christian school, before police arrived and shot and killed her.
The suspect, who is believed to have been a former student, reportedly entered the school through a side door, armed with at least two assault-style rifles and a handgun, reported CNN. Occurring just days after a string of school shootings in Colorado, the Covenant School shooting is the deadliest to occur in almost a year.
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Police received the first call regarding the shooting shortly after 10 a.m.
CNN reports that police received a call from the school at 10:13 a.m. local time on March 27, and that the alleged shooter was dead by 10:27 a.m. Although they have not released her name, authorities have said they found a car parked near the school that offered clues to the shooter's identity.
Officers were clearing the first story of the school building when they heard gunshots coming from above, said Metro Nashville police spokesperson, Don Aaron, reported the Associated Press. Two officers then opened fire, killing the suspect. One of those officers was reportedly injured by broken glass.
Police have confirmed several details about the incident.
"Officers went to the gunfire," Aaron said, reported News Channel 5 Nashville. "When they got to the second floor and saw the shooter, a female. There was a five-member unit that was on the second floor at the time."
He added: "We know at this point that this shooter is a female. Her identification isn't confirmed. She had two assault rifles and a handgun. She entered the school through a side entrance and went from the first school to the second floor. By 10:27 a.m., the shooter was dead."
The dead include both students and school staff.
At least three staff members of the Covenant School, which is a ministry of Covenant Presbyterian Church, were killed, as well as three students.
"Three pediatric patients were transported to Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, all having suffered gunshot wounds. All three were pronounced dead after arrival," officials said, reported News Channel 5 Nashville.
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The community is shocked and grieving.
"People were involuntarily trembling,” said Rachel Dibble, who was present at a reunification center established for parents and their children, according to AP. “The children … started their morning in their cute little uniforms they probably had some Froot Loops and now their whole lives changed today," added Dibble, whose children attend a different private school in the area.
"In a tragic morning, Nashville joined the dreaded, long list of communities to experience a school shooting," Nashville Mayor John Cooper tweeted. "My heart goes out to the families of the victims. Our entire city stands with you."
President Joe Biden spoke about the shooting.
"This is ripping our communities apart," Biden said in a press conference, reported News Channel 5 Nashville. "It's ripping the soul of the nation apart. The shooter had two assault weapons. I call on Congress again to pass my assault weapons ban. I send my heart out to so many parents. I have been to so many sites of these."
Support is being put in place for affected families as the police investigation continues.
"We have mental health professionals at the reunification site," said Nashville Fire Department spokesperson Kendra Looney. "There is a hotline for parents to call that is being set up."
