The transgender shooter from Covenant School created a list weighing the “pros” and “cons” of targeting another Nashville school she once attended, ultimately deciding against it because most of the students were black, as revealed in a recently released diary by the FBI.
Audrey Hale, who tragically took the lives of six individuals at a Christian elementary school in 2023, had considered launching the attack at IT Creswell Middle School. However, she expressed concern that such an action might “influence racists,” reflecting an internal conflict she noted in an entry dated back to 2021.
At the start of her “disadvantages” list, Hale mentioned her fondness for the “predominantly Black Schools” she attended from fifth to eighth grade, labeling it her “first choice” for her violent plans.
One of her reasons for opting against the attack stemmed from her belief that “the black community is desperate” and wanting to avoid causing harm. She wrote about feelings of fear and, perhaps, empathy: “I don’t want to hurt.” Further, she articulated worry that friends in the black community would “hate me” if she proceeded with her intentions.
Hale also feared that killing black students could lead to repercussions, suggesting that it might result in future violent acts from “white shooters.” Ultimately, she selected Covenant School as her target, admitting one of its “advantages” was that it was a “majority white school,” driven by her expressed animosity toward white individuals.
In addition, Hale emphasized her disdain for religion, specifically highlighting Covenant School’s Christian affiliation. She seemed to have a thorough knowledge of the school’s layout, having attended it from kindergarten through fourth grade.
After the incident, Hale’s parents mentioned in an interview that their daughter developed an interest in black culture during her time at Creswell Middle School, particularly while playing on a mostly black basketball team. Her mother shared that this may have given Hale a sense of acceptance she had not felt before.
On March 27, 2023, Hale, who identified as male, entered Covenant School armed with a 9mm carbine, killing three students and three adults before being shot and killed by police within 15 minutes of the attack.
