The suspected shooter who killed three youngsters and three adults at a faculty in Nashville on Monday morning despatched a collection of darkish messages to a pal within the minutes main as much as the assault, in line with a report.

Police recognized Audrey Hale, 28, because the particular person chargeable for the bloodshed on the Covenant Faculty. In an announcement, authorities mentioned the primary 911 name about pictures being fired on the personal Christian college was made at 10:13 a.m.

Simply minutes earlier, a former center college basketball teammate of Hale’s advised WTVF she acquired an Instagram message from the alleged killer. “I’m planning to die at the moment,” the message despatched to Averianna Patton learn. “THIS IS NOT A JOKE!!!!”

‘Quiet’ Ex-Scholar in Nashville Bloodbath Had a ‘Manifesto’

Hale adopted up by telling Patton that: “You’ll most likely hear about me on the information after I die. That is my final goodbye. I like you. See you once more in one other life.” The primary message, which was timestamped at 9:57 a.m., seems to have been despatched round 16 minutes earlier than the primary 911 name was made.

Hale signed off the message to Patton as “Audrey (Aiden).” Police initially described Hale as a youngster, then a 28-year-old lady, later including that Hale was transgender. A supply near the Hale household advised The Day by day Beast that Hale had “comparatively lately” began “figuring out as he/him.”

Patton replied to the alarming message by saying that Hale had “a lot extra life to stay.” “I do know however I don’t wish to stay,” Hale replied. “I’m so sorry. I’m not making an attempt to upset you or get consideration. I simply must die.”

Hale went on inform Patton that she was being advised first as a result of she is “probably the most lovely particular person I’ve ever seen and identified all my life.” “My household doesn’t know what I’m about to do,” Hale continued. “Someday this may make extra sense. I’ve left greater than sufficient proof behind. However one thing unhealthy is about to occur.”

Patton advised WTVF that Hale had beforehand spoken to others about feeling suicidal so she knew to take the messages critically. At her father’s instruction, Patton mentioned she contacted the Suicide Prevention Assist Line at 10:08 a.m. earlier than calling the Nashville Davidson County Sheriff’s Workplace 5 minutes later. They in flip advised her to name Nashville’s non-emergency line, Patton mentioned.

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“I known as Nashville’s non-emergency line at 10:14 a.m. and was on maintain for almost seven minutes earlier than talking with somebody who mentioned that they might ship an officer to my house,” Patton mentioned. “An officer didn’t come to my house till 3:29 p.m.”

Patton mentioned she shared Hale’s messages as a result of she thinks officers ought to have responded to her info with extra urgency. “After cellphone calls from mates and Audrey’s identify was launched because the shooter at Covenant Nashville college, I realized that Audrey was the shooter and that she had reached out to me previous to the capturing,” Patton mentioned. “My coronary heart is with the entire households affected and I’m devastated by what has occurred.”

Nashville Police have recognized the grownup victims of Monday’s capturing as Mike Hill, 61, Cynthia Peak, 61, and Katherine Koonce, 60. The youngsters had been named as Evelyn Dieckhaus, William Kinney, and Hallie Scruggs, all 9 years previous.

For those who or a liked one are battling suicidal ideas, please attain out to the Nationwide Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or contact the Disaster Textual content Line by texting TALK to 741741. It’s also possible to textual content or dial 988.

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