Nashville Police Chief John Drake confirmed the authenticity of writings attributed to school shooter Audrey Hale, while the city’s mayor criticized the fact that they were leaked to conservative commentator Steven Crowder.
Crowder published three pages in Hale’s handwriting before murdering six people, including three children, at The Covenant School in March.
The materials indicated deep animosity against whites, especially those Hale, who was deeply troubled and identified as transgender, considered “privileged.”
The possible publication of Hale’s complete writings has caused controversy since the murders.
While several groups have argued that they should be in the public domain, the Covenant school and relatives of many victims have said they want to block them.
“I am deeply concerned for the safety and well-being of the Covenant families and all Nashville residents who are grieving,” Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell said in a statement after Crowther’s release.
Nashville Police Chief John Drake vowed to find the leaker. AFP via Getty Images
He ordered law enforcement officials to find who provided the documents to Crowder, who defended their release.
“This police department takes the investigation to identify whoever is responsible very seriously,” Drake said.
A group of parents whose children were present during the massacre also started the leak.
“Now you have allowed [the shooter]who terrorized our family with bullets, so now he can terrorize us with words from the grave,” said Brent Leatherwood, a Covenant parent.
Hale murdered six people at a Nashville Christian school.ZUMAPRESS.com
In an interview with Nashville reporter Jeremy Finley, Crowder argued that elements within the Nashville Police Department were frustrated by the lack of transparency in the case.
Crowder said a source contacted his investigative unit and claimed to be in possession of a portion of Hale’s writings.
His employee met with the leaker in Nashville and was shown photos of documents that were part of a text message exchange with a detective.
Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell criticized the release of the documents. Getty Images
That officer, Crowder claimed, attested to its authenticity and his team also worked to corroborate the information.
He argued that previous manifestos on mass shooters had been “used as a cudgel for gun control” and were released in a timely manner.
“This was one that didn’t follow that narrative,” he said. “And a lot of people thought it was necessary for this to come out. And there are people involved with the Nashville police who also believe that things have not necessarily been transparent.”
Nashville police initially said they would release at least 20 diaries and a “memoir” belonging to Hale after their investigation was formally closed and that they had seized after the shootings.
Hale expressed his distaste for whites in writings. MNPD/MEGA
But they have since cited ongoing lawsuits both for and against publicity of the materials to delay their release.
Three 9-year-old children: Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs and William Kinney were shot and killed during the rampage.
Three school employees: Katherine Koonce, 60, the school’s principal, custodian Mike Hill, 61, and substitute teacher Cynthia Peak, 61, were also shot and killed.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn