Image Credit: Holly Abernathy / 6q Creative
The Tennessee Conservative [By Adelia Kirchner] –
A whole month has passed since the tragic Covenant School shooting in Nashville and the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) may finally be releasing the shooter’s manifesto soon.
Prominent Republicans across the state and news publications like The Tennessean have been publicly calling for the release of these written documents since the tragedy occurred back in March.
U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN) has acknowledged his appreciation for the law enforcement officers involved, but still wonders why it’s taking so long for them to review the documents.
“I think people do deserve to know what took place, what was in the mind of this sick person that committed these heinous murders.” Sen. Hagerty said on Monday.
Rep. Todd Warner (R-Chapel Hill-District 92) also released a statement calling specifically for release of the “full, uncensored version of Audrey Hale’s manifesto.”
“Instead of automatically targeting 2nd amendment rights— as numerous Tennessee Leaders have proposed— there should be an outright demand for the public release of these records,” he said, “this evidence is pertinent to the public welfare.”
Several other elected officials have called for the release of these documents including U.S. Representatives Andy Ogles (R-TN) and Tim Burchett (R-TN), as well as Tennessee House GOP Caucus Chair Jeremy Faison (R-Cosby-District 11) and Sen. Todd Gardenhire (R-Chattanooga-District 10).
Still, there are some folks urging the MNPD to keep these documents private unless they are believed to actually display a true motive for the shooting.
According to WKRN, retired FBI agent Katherine Schweit falls into this group of people.
“That shooter is gone but the family is not, so you have to include all of that in your consideration of what to release,” Schweit said, “I know people are anxious to see and hear what might have been written, but I think that is more curiosity than it is forensic value.”
Nashville Councilwoman Courtney Johnston also spoke in opposition of releasing the documents saying that from what she understands, “it is like a blueprint for heinous things.”
Even though there is no pending court case because the shooter is no longer alive, the MNPD has yet to release any documents or materials, citing an open investigation as the reason.
Initially the word “manifesto” was used to refer to these written documents, but MNPD spokesperson Don Aaron has since referred to them more so as writings or journals.
Aaron also said to News Channel 2 on April 26th, that the department has begun the “close review/preparation process for the public release of written material.”
According to detailed search warrants, investigators seized thirty journals, a suicide note, five Covenant School yearbooks, and what has been described as a psych medical folder from the deceased shooter’s home.
Currently the Covenant School shooting goes down as the deadliest school shooting in Tennessee history, and people simply want to understand the shooter’s motives so they can determine the best and most appropriate response for the state socially, politically, and legislatively.
About the Author: Adelia Kirchner is a Tennessee resident and reporter for the Tennessee Conservative. Currently the host of Subtle Rampage Podcast, she has also worked for the South Dakota State Legislature and interned for Senator Bill Hagerty’s Office in Nashville, Tennessee. You can reach Adelia at adelia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
2 Responses
It would have been more accurate if the headline read “Nashville School Shooter’s Manifesto May Finally be Released to the Public Following Police Suppression.”
My best guess on why we have not seen the manifesto yet: The Nashville Police and other police agencies involved don’t want the Lib Tard’s / Transbo’s in Nashville to rise up!