Newly released FBI records offer a chilling glimpse into the mind of Audrey Elizabeth Hale, the perpetrator of the Covenant School shooting in Nashville. These documents, obtained after legal challenges, reveal meticulously detailed writings outlining her motivations, preparations, and even her financial planning for the horrific attack.
The collection includes journal entries dating back to late 2021, alongside handwritten notes that chillingly map out the steps Hale intended to take during the school shooting. These aren’t impulsive scribbles, but rather a calculated and disturbing blueprint for violence.
A recurring theme within Hale’s writings points to a deep-seated animosity towards religion, specifically identifying “Christian school (hate religion)” as a core reason for targeting the Covenant School, the elementary school she once attended.
On March 27, 2023, Hale carried out her plan, unleashing a devastating attack that claimed the lives of six innocent people: Katherine Koonce, Cynthia Peak, Mike Hill, and students Hallie Scruggs, Evelyn Dieckhaus, and William Kinney, all just nine years old. Responding officers ultimately ended the threat, but not before unimaginable tragedy struck.
Surveillance footage from that day showed Hale systematically moving through the school building, armed with multiple firearms. She gained entry through a side entrance and methodically navigated the hallways before encountering law enforcement.
In the moments leading up to the shooting, Hale sent a disturbing text message to a friend, framing the attack as a “suicide mission.” She chillingly predicted her friend would learn of her actions through news reports after her death.
Among the newly released materials is a detailed “Account Savings Record,” documenting Hale’s finances. This page references federal student financial aid, specifically a FAFSA grant check initially totaling $2,050.86.
The financial entries are interwoven with notes detailing planned firearm purchases, revealing a disturbing connection between accessing funds and preparing for the attack. Hale was enrolled at Nossi College of Art and Design in Nashville at the time, and records show payments made from the college alongside the weapons planning.
These financial records appear to corroborate statements made by Hale’s parents to investigators shortly after the shooting. They reportedly told police their child used federal Pell Grant money to acquire the weapons used in the attack.
Hale’s mother also explained to police that, due to her age and student status, Hale qualified for grant funding independently, without parental income being a factor. This allowed her to access funds despite being unemployed.
Investigators recovered a manifesto and hand-drawn maps from Hale’s vehicle following the shooting. While portions of her writings have been released, authorities have continued to withhold the full manifesto from public view, despite ongoing requests.
The released FBI records paint a disturbing portrait of a meticulously planned act of violence fueled by deep-seated resentment and facilitated by access to financial resources. They offer a chilling insight into the mind of a shooter and the tragic events that unfolded at the Covenant School.
