Current:Home > MarketsNashville Police investigation into leak of Covenant School shooter’s writings is inconclusive -WealthMap Solutions
Nashville Police investigation into leak of Covenant School shooter’s writings is inconclusive
View
Date:2025-04-28 01:12:16
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Nashville Police have “exhausted all available investigative avenues” in the hunt for the person who leaked pages from a school shooter’s journals to a conservative commentator, the department announced in an email sent to media late on Friday. The writings are part of an ongoing legal battle over whether they should be released as public records.
The Metro Nashville Police Department’s Office of Professional Accountability led the investigation into the leak, interviewing officers and forensically examining their electronic devices, according to police. Investigators determined that three cellphone photos were taken of the journals just after they were discovered in the shooter’s vehicle by two detectives with the Specialized Investigations Division. One former police detective who had images from the journal declined interview requests.
“The department does not have the ability to compel statements or cooperation from former employees,” the police statement reads.
The person who killed three 9-year-old children and three adults at a private Christian elementary school in Nashville this spring left behind at least 20 journals, a suicide note and a memoir, according to court filings. The writings have been the object of intense speculation and an open-records battle, with several groups suing to force Nashville officials to release them to the public.
Police initially said they intended to release the writings once they closed their investigation, which could take up to a year. Since then, a group of Covenant School parents have joined the lawsuit, arguing that none of the documents should ever be released. They say shooter Audrey Hale’s writings could traumatize their children and inspire copycats.
In the midst of the legal wrangling, someone slipped images of three of Hale’s journal pages to conservative commentator Stephen Crowder, who published them on Nov. 6. They include a detailed timeline for the March 27 shooting labeled “Death Day” and a slur-filled diatribe about kids who attend “private fancy schools,” although the 28-year-old Hale was a former Covenant student.
The three children who were killed in the shooting were Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs and William Kinney, all 9 years old. The three adults were Katherine Koonce, 60, the head of the school, custodian Mike Hill, 61, and 61-year-old substitute teacher Cynthia Peak.
Seven officers were assigned to administrative duties when the investigation into the leak began, but all of them have been returned to regular duties, according to police. Police have briefed the director of Nashville’s Department of Law on their investigation and forwarded the case file to the district attorney’s office.
veryGood! (1961)
Related
- 'As foretold in the prophecy': Elon Musk and internet react as Tesla stock hits $420 all
- Another inmate dies in Atlanta following incarceration at a jail under federal investigation
- Pottery Barn Put Thousands of Items on Sale: Here Are the Best Deals as Low as $6
- What did a small-town family do with a $1.586 billion Powerball win?
- NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
- Report: Dianna Russini leaves ESPN to become The Athletic’s top NFL insider
- Q&A: Kelsea Ballerini on her divorce EP and people throwing things at concerts
- Fact checking 'Dreamin' Wild': Did it really take 30 years to discover the Emerson brothers' album?
- Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
- Former foster children win $7M settlement after alleging state turned blind eye to abuse
Ranking
- Realtor group picks top 10 housing hot spots for 2025: Did your city make the list?
- What's Making Us Happy: A guide to your weekend reading, watching and listening
- In Maui, a desperate search for the missing; Lahaina warned of 'toxic' ash: Live updates
- Russia downs 20 drones over Crimea following a spate of attacks on Moscow
- Taylor Swift makes surprise visit to Kansas City children’s hospital
- Southern California Marine charged with sex assault of girl, 14, who was found in barracks
- Mom stabbed another parent during elementary school pickup over road rage: Vegas police
- What’s behind the tentative US-Iran agreement involving prisoners and frozen funds
Recommendation
Sarah J. Maas books explained: How to read 'ACOTAR,' 'Throne of Glass' in order.
Fiction writers fear the rise of AI, but also see it as a story to tell
Guardians' José Ramírez begins serving reduced suspension for fighting Tim Anderson
United pilots miscommunicated. The NTSB says their error caused a plane to plunge more than 1,000 feet
North Carolina justices rule for restaurants in COVID
Judge in Trump Jan. 6 case issues order limiting use of sensitive material
Self-driving taxis get 24/7 access in San Francisco. What historic vote means for the city.
How fixing up an old Mustang helped one ALS patient find joy through friendship