“Nashville police leak” : Update on Investigation into Leaked Writings of Covenant School Shooter Reveals No Responsible Parties Identified

Accident – Death – Obituary News : NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – A month has passed since conservative radio host released images of The Covenant School shooter’s writings, and the Metro Nashville Police Department has provided an update on their investigation into the leak.

On Friday, Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake stated that the police department has exhausted all available investigative avenues to identify the person responsible for leaking the photographs containing three pages of writings from the Covenant School shooter. The investigation has revealed that no current MNPD employees or employees of any partner agency were involved in the unauthorized release of the images. Employees who were placed on administrative assignment during the investigation have since returned to their regular duties, according to the police.

During the investigation, multiple individuals were interviewed and cooperated with the detectives. Moreover, electronic devices were forensically examined as part of the inquiry. However, when the police department attempted to interview a former MNPD detective who had the images as part of his official duties, he declined to be interviewed and is no longer a member of law enforcement. The police department emphasized that it lacks the authority to compel statements or cooperation from former employees.

According to officials, the investigation, led by the MNPD’s Office of Professional Accountability, found that the three cell phone pictures of the writings were taken immediately after the shooter’s writings were discovered in a vehicle. Two detectives took the photos—one detective took two photos, while the other took one—as part of intelligence-gathering to gain more insights into the shooter and determine if anyone else was involved in the shooting incident.

The case file documenting the investigation is currently being prepared for presentation to District Attorney Glenn Funk’s Office for review. Metropolitan Director of Law Wally Dietz has also been briefed on the investigation, which will be advanced with any new or undiscovered information that comes to the attention of the police department.

The Covenant School shooting, which occurred on March 27, resulted in the tragic deaths of six individuals, including three children. 28-year-old Audrey Hale, the shooter, opened fire at the Covenant School in Green Hills, claiming the lives of Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs, William Kinney, Cynthia Peak, Dr. Katherine Koonce, and Mike Hill.

Following a search of the shooter’s home and car, the police discovered multiple journals that allegedly detailed plans to commit mass murder months before the shooting took place. Police reported that the shooter fired a total of 152 rounds—126 rifle rounds and 26 nine-millimeter rounds—from the time they entered the school until they were shot and killed by the police.

The shooter’s writings, found in a vehicle left in the school parking lot and during the home search, revealed a careful planning process spanning several months to carry out the mass murder at The Covenant School. The shooter also expressed an interest in the actions of other mass murderers. Autopsy reports indicated that the shooter was wearing a white shirt with handwritten words, drawings, and numbers on it. Handwritten words were also found on the shooter’s bra, although the report did not disclose their content.

The release of the shooter’s writings to the public has sparked an ongoing legal battle, with both Covenant families and Metro Government advocating for their right to weigh in on whether the so-called manifesto should be made public. The Court of Appeals heard arguments from both parties on Monday, October 16, but there is no timeline for when a decision will be reached. Ultimately, a separate judge will determine if any parts of the documents should be released.

As for The Covenant School, students, faculty, and staff are scheduled to return to the campus in January, signaling a step towards healing and rebuilding after the tragic incident..