The Green Hills community is mourning the loss of three children and three adults who were fatally shot Monday at The Covenant School.
The suspect, identified by police as a 28-year-old former student, entered the school through a side door Monday morning and opened fire. Within 14 minutes, a team of five officers followed sounds of gunfire to a second floor lobby where they fatally shot the suspect.
The tragic incident marked America’s 129th mass shooting of 2023, according to Gun Violence Archive, a nonprofit which tracks gun violence data.
A series of vigils took place Monday night, with a citywide vigil planned for Wednesday.
Here’s what we know so far about the shooting victims.
Evelyn Dieckhaus, 9
Evelyn Dieckhaus was a student at The Covenant School.
At a Woodmont Christian Church vigil Monday evening, senior minister Clay Stauffer shared through tears and a shaky voice a story about Evelyn. She was a third grader at Covenant School.
Her sister, a fifth grader, is a member of the disciples class at Woodmont with plans of being baptized in a couple of weeks.
Evelyn’s sister cried as she said, “I don’t want to be an only child.”
Hallie Scruggs, 9
Hallie Scruggs was a student at the Covenant School. Hallie was the daughter of Chad Scruggs, who is the lead pastor at Covenant Presbyterian Church, according to a statement from his former church in Dallas.
“We love the Scruggs family and mourn with them over their precious daughter Hallie,” Mark Davis, senior pastor at Park Cities Presbyterian Church, said in a statement. “Together, we trust in the power of Christ to draw near and give us the comfort and hope we desperately need.”
William Kinney, 9
William Kinney was a student at The Covenant School.
Katherine Koonce, 60
Katherine Koonce was the headmaster at the Covenant School.
Cynthia Peak, 61
Authorities identified Cynthia Peak as a substitute teacher who was working at The Covenant School.
Mike Hill, 61
Authorities identified Mike Hill as a custodian at The Covenant School.