Nashville, Tennessee – Newly released federal records tied to the 2023 Covenant School shooting in Nashville are shedding further light on the planning, motivations, and finances of the attacker, Audrey Elizabeth Hale.
The documents, released by the FBI following litigation, include handwritten journals, planning notes, and financial records that investigators say help clarify how the deadly attack was prepared and funded.
Hale, 28, carried out the shooting on March 27, 2023, at the Covenant School — a private Christian elementary school Hale once attended — killing six people before being shot and killed by responding officers from the Metro Nashville Police Department.
What the FBI Documents Reveal
The FBI released more than 100 pages of writings attributed to Hale, including journals believed to date back to late 2021. The materials include personal reflections, handwritten lists of weapons, attack planning notes, and financial ledgers.
Among the writings is a page labeled “Account Savings Record,” which references federal student financial aid. According to the document, Hale wrote that “FAFSA grant checks started at $2,050.86,” followed by ledger-style entries documenting payments from Nossi College of Art and Design in Nashville, where Hale was enrolled at the time.
The financial notes appear alongside detailed entries about firearms Hale intended to acquire, raising renewed questions about whether federal student aid funds were used to purchase weapons later used in the attack.
Claims About Student Aid and Gun Purchases
The newly released records appear to support statements made by Hale’s parents to police shortly after the shooting. According to reporting by the Tennessee Star, Hale’s parents told detectives that federal Pell Grant money may have been used to purchase the firearms involved in the attack.
Hale’s mother reportedly told investigators that because Hale was over age 25 and enrolled as a student, parental income no longer factored into financial aid eligibility. As a result, Hale qualified for federal grants despite being unemployed at the time.
While investigators have not publicly confirmed the precise funding source for each weapon, the FBI documents provide new insight into Hale’s personal finances and how those funds overlapped with attack preparations.
Motive and Target Selection
Several handwritten notes included in the FBI release list “Christian school (hate religion)” as a reason for targeting the Covenant School. Investigators have previously stated that Hale deliberately chose the school due to a personal grievance tied to religious beliefs and past experiences there.
Hale entered the school through a side entrance and moved through multiple hallways armed with multiple firearms. Surveillance footage released after the shooting showed Hale methodically navigating the building before being confronted by police.
Authorities said Hale sent a text message to a friend shortly before the attack, calling it a “suicide mission” and writing that the recipient would likely “hear about me on the news after I die.”
Victims of the Attack
The six victims killed in the shooting were identified as:
- Katherine Koonce, 60, head of the school
- Cynthia Peak, 61, a substitute teacher
- Mike Hill, 61, a school custodian
- Hallie Scruggs, 9
- Evelyn Dieckhaus, 9
- William Kinney, 9
The three adults were staff members at the school, while the three children were students. The attack deeply impacted the Nashville community and reignited national debates around school safety, gun access, and mental health.
Ongoing Disputes Over the Manifesto
Metro Nashville Police previously confirmed that investigators recovered a manifesto and hand-drawn maps from Hale’s vehicle after the shooting. While portions of Hale’s writings have now been released, both city police and the FBI have continued to resist releasing the full manifesto.
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Officials have argued that releasing the complete document could inspire copycat attacks or further glorify the shooter. Critics, including transparency advocates and victims’ families, have called for full disclosure to better understand warning signs and prevent future violence.
The newly released records stop short of including the complete manifesto but offer the most detailed look yet into Hale’s mindset and preparation process.
Broader Questions Raised
The FBI documents have renewed scrutiny around how student financial aid is monitored and whether safeguards exist to prevent misuse. Federal Pell Grants are intended to help cover tuition, housing, and educational expenses, but once distributed, recipients have discretion over how funds are spent.
While there is no indication that Hale violated financial aid rules, the records have sparked broader concerns among policymakers and the public about potential gaps in oversight.
At the same time, investigators emphasize that the tragedy was the result of deliberate planning and intent, not simply access to funding.
Investigation Continues
Although Hale was killed at the scene, investigations into the circumstances surrounding the attack continue. Law enforcement agencies say they are still reviewing materials to understand how warning signs may have been missed and what lessons can be applied to prevent future attacks.
As more records are released through ongoing legal challenges, additional details may emerge about Hale’s actions in the months leading up to the shooting.
What questions do you think still need answers about the Covenant School shooting and the release of these records? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
