The substitute teacher who was killed in a school shooting in Nashville on Monday was revealed to be “best friends” with Tennessee’s first lady, Maria Lee, and the two dined together that night. I was even planning to.
Gov. Bill Lee shared Tuesday his wife, a fellow educator, and his connection to 61-year-old Cynthia Peake. Ms. Cynthia Peake was one of her six people shot by a mad shooter at a Covenant school.
In a video posted to Twitter, the governor said, “Maria woke up this morning without her best friend, Cindy Peek.” I was supposed to come to eat
The first lady was also a close friend of another victim, Katherine Koons, 60, the principal of a Christian academy.
“Cindy, Maria and Katherine Kuns were all teachers at the same school and have been friends of the family for decades,” Lee said.
The governor’s wife taught 3rd and 4th grade at the Christian Presbyterian Academy in Nashville for 14 years. according to her career on the state website.
Lee also recalled four other victims of the deadly tragedy – Evelyn Deekhouse, Harry Scruggs, William Kinney, all nine, and caretaker Mike Hill (61).
The six victims were shot dead by 28-year-old Audrey Hale, a former student at the school, in what Lee called “a tragedy beyond comprehension.”
“Yesterday, all of Tennessee suffered, but some parents woke up childless, children woke up without parents and teachers. I woke up,” he said in a video posted to Twitter.
Hale stormed the building at 10:13 a.m. armed with two assault rifles and a handgun and began firing at people who crossed the road.
Hale was murdered by police who were called to the scene. Lee praised his two officers, Rex Engelbart and Michael Collazo, who were alleged to have killed the shooter for their bravery.
The governor also called on Tennesseans to pray for the victims and their loved ones, the Covenant School community, two police officers, the shooter’s family, and those hurt, angry and confused.
“Prayer is the first thing we should do, but it’s not the only thing,” he added.
Lee encouraged residents to remain hopeful amidst the grief ahead.
“There will come a time when people will ask how they can do this. There will come a time when policy will be discussed and debated, but now is not the time for hatred and anger – it will not be resolved or cured.” .
