A victim of the tragic shooting in Nashville has been identified as a beloved janitor who worked at the school for 13 years prior to the attack.
The attack on the Covenant School in Nashville - a private Christian elementary school - was carried about by a former student identified as 28-year-old Audrey Hale.
The shooting which took place on March 27 claimed the lives of three nine-year-old students and three adults - including a janitor who worked at the school for 13 years.
Mike Hill, 61, was a custodian and is being remembered as a hero following his tragic passing by those who worked closely with him.
Tim Dunavant, a pastor at Hartsville First United Methodist Church in Tennessee, recalled via Facebook how he hired Hill 13 years ago.
"I didn't want to say a name until it had been announced officially. And now, I'm not real sure what to say," Dunavant said. "This picture is Mike Hill. He was the last employee that I hired when I ran the kitchen at the Covenant church and school."
Dunavant went on: "That was over 13 years ago. he was still working there today when he was shot and killed. I don’t know the details yet. But I have a feeling, when it all comes out, Mike’s sacrifice saved lives. I have nothing factual to base that upon. I just know what kind of guy he was. And I know he’s the kind of guy that would do that. "
He concluded his post by bidding an emotional goodbye to his former colleague and friend, writing: "Goodbye Mike, I’m going to miss those encouraging texts out of the blue from you."
The other five victims of the shooting have been identified as Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs, and William Kinney, all aged nine, Cynthia Peak, aged 61, and Katherine Koonce, aged 60.
The attack lasted approximately 14 minutes and came to an end when armed police located and fatally shot Hale, as stated by Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake per CNN.
The officers who fatally shot Hale have been named as Officer Rex Englebert and Officer Michael Collazo.
Nine-year-old victim Hallie Scruggs has been named as the daughter of Chad Scruggs, a senior pastor at Covenant Presbyterian Church.
A statement from the church reads: "The Park Cities Presbyterian Church (PCPC) family is incredibly saddened by the unimaginable tragedy today at Covenant Presbyterian School in Nashville, TN. Covenant Presbyterian Church is a sister church of PCPC; many of our members have deep friendships and family connections there.
"Chad Scruggs, current Lead Pastor at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Nashville, served for several years as Associate Pastor at PCPC. PCPC Senior Pastor, Mark Davis shared, 'We love the Scruggs family and mourn with them over their precious daughter Hallie. Together, we trust in the power of Christ to draw near and give us the comfort and hope we desperately need.'"
Our thoughts are with all of those affected by this tragedy.
