“Nashville police leak” : Investigation into Leaked Writings of Covenant School Shooter Comes to an End

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – A month after conservative radio host leaked images of the Covenant School shooter’s writings, the Metro Nashville Police Department has provided an update on their investigation into who leaked the writings. Police Chief John Drake stated that the department has exhausted all investigative avenues to identify the person responsible for the unauthorized release of the images. The investigation revealed that no current MNPD employees or employees of partner agencies were involved in the leak. Employees who were placed on administrative assignment during the investigation have since returned to their regular duties.

Multiple individuals were interviewed and cooperated with detectives, while electronic devices were forensically examined as part of the investigation. However, a former MNPD detective who had the images as part of his official duties declined to be interviewed and is no longer a member of law enforcement. The investigation determined that the three cell phone pictures of the writings were taken immediately after the shooter’s writings were discovered in their vehicle, as part of intelligence-gathering to learn more about the shooter and potential accomplices.

The case file documenting the investigation is being prepared for presentation to District Attorney Glenn Funk’s Office for review. Metropolitan Director of Law Wally Dietz has been briefed on the investigation and it will continue with any new information that comes to the attention of the police department.

On March 27, six people, including three children, were shot and killed by 28-year-old Audrey Hale at the Covenant School in Green Hills. The victims were identified as Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs, William Kinney, Cynthia Peak, Dr. Katherine Koonce, and Mike Hill.

After searching the shooter’s home and car, police discovered multiple journals documenting plans to commit mass murder months before the shooting occurred. The shooter fired a total of 152 rounds during the incident. The writings found in the vehicle and the shooter’s home revealed detailed planning over a period of months, as well as consideration of the actions of other mass murderers.

There is an ongoing legal battle regarding the release of the writings to the public. Both Covenant families and Metro Government are arguing their right to weigh in on the release of the documents. A court hearing took place on October 16, and there is no timeline for when a decision will be made. Students, faculty, and staff are scheduled to return to The Covenant School campus in January.