Covenant school shooting docs reviewed by GOP rep who praised FBI transparency
A Tennessee congressman recently had the opportunity to view documents related to the tragic 2023 Covenant school shooting for the first time. Congressman John Rose praised FBI Director Kash Patel for upholding the Trump administration’s promise of “radical transparency” by allowing him full access to the documents. The shooting, which took place on March 27th of that year, was carried out by suspect Audrey Hale, a transgender woman who was a former student at the school and killed three children and three adults.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Rep. Rose shared that he had previously sent a letter to the FBI following the shooting but had received a non-responsive reply directing him to seek information from the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department. However, under Patel’s leadership, the FBI quickly provided him with access to the documents he had requested.
The documents primarily consist of writings and work by the shooter, Audrey Hale. Rep. Rose expressed that the information provided valuable insights and confirmed some of his suspicions regarding the tragic event. He contrasted the FBI’s swift response with the lack of cooperation he had experienced from the Metro Nashville Police Department.
Many of the documents have been subject to legal battles in Tennessee, with a ruling in 2024 stating that a significant portion of Hale’s writings are protected by copyright law. The MNPD also expressed concerns that releasing the detailed writings could potentially incite copycat violence.
Despite these concerns, the FBI decided to release some of the material to Rep. Rose, albeit with redactions to address copycat-related worries. Rep. Rose emphasized the importance of making the information public to better understand the tragedy and enable policymakers to take informed action.
In response to allegations of stonewalling, the MNPD cited the Chancery Court order restricting the release of the shooter’s writings. Rep. Rose acknowledged the sensitivity of the information but advocated for a careful review process to allow for a deeper understanding of the perpetrator and potential preventive measures.
The congressman also supported some redactions, suggesting that a thorough review could facilitate the use of the documents in understanding the crime, identifying accomplices, and exploring missed opportunities for intervention. The Nashville police released a final report on the shooting, revealing that Hale had left behind notebooks, art books, and computer documents outlining plans for the attack, partly inspired by the Columbine school shooting in 1999.
In conclusion, Rep. Rose’s access to the documents sheds light on the tragic events of the Covenant school shooting and underscores the importance of transparency in addressing such incidents. The information provided will aid in understanding the motives behind the attack and potentially preventing similar tragedies in the future.
