Authorities in Nashville are investigating the alleged leak of portions of the manifesto written by Audrey Elizabeth Hale, the shooter responsible for the mass shooting at The Covenant School. The handwritten notes, believed to be part of the killer’s manifesto, were found in Hale’s car after the attack, which claimed the lives of three adults and three 9-year-old children. While Nashville police have not confirmed the authenticity of the leaked documents, they are aware of the assertion and are conducting an investigation.
The National Police Association (NPA) is involved in a court battle with the city and police department, demanding that the full manifesto be made public. The case is still pending, and the documents have not been released in court. The NPA’s attorney, Doug Pierce, emphasized the importance of timely information sharing and referred to the potential leak as a “bombshell.” However, he could not confirm the authenticity of the leaked documents. The court battle has been ongoing for months, and there is no clear timeline for a decision on releasing the full manifesto.
Hale, who identified as a male named Aiden but was described by police as a transgender woman, had kept more than 20 journals, according to court documents. The leaked pages represent only a small portion of her writings. The Covenant School shooting timeline revealed that Hale had made hand-drawn maps and diagrams of the school, indicating possible entry points and illustrating a shooter wearing the same outfit used during the attack.
Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell has directed an investigation into the potential leak, expressing deep concern for the safety and well-being of the Covenant families and all residents of Nashville. The city does not possess the leaked documents and cannot confirm their veracity. The FBI, which had previously received copies of the manifesto for analysis, declined to comment due to the ongoing lawsuit.
The Covenant School, affiliated with the Covenant Presbyterian Church, serves children from Pre-K through sixth grade. The victims of the shooting included the pastor’s daughter, as well as two other children and three adults. Hale had no criminal history in the area, and investigators found no prior motive for the attack. The shooter had legally purchased the seven guns used in the attack and had hidden them in her parents’ house.
The investigation into the leak of the manifesto is ongoing, and more information is expected to emerge as the court case progresses. The city of Nashville is committed to ensuring the safety and security of its residents and will continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the leak.
