Nashville college shooter’s chilling last messages to pal revealed: ‘I’m planning to die’
Nashville college shooter Audrey Hale despatched a pal a chilling “suicide be aware” minutes earlier than slaughtering three children and three adults – writing her: “I’m planning to die right this moment.”
Hale, 28, messaged Averianna Patton, her former center college basketball teammate, on Instagram at 9:57 a.m. Monday, NewsChannel 5 reported.
“So principally that publish I made on right here about you, that was principally a suicide be aware. I’m planning to die right this moment,” Hale wrote, utilizing the identify Aiden, in response to messages Patton gave the outlet.
“THIS IS NOT A JOKE!!!” wrote Hale, who recognized as transgender. “You’ll most likely hear about me on the information after I die.”
Hale added: “That is my final goodbye. I like you … See you once more in one other life.” She signed the missive “Audrey (Aiden).”
Patton replied: “Audrey! You’ve got a lot extra life to reside. I pray God retains and covers you.”
In response, Hale wrote: “I do know however I don’t wish to reside. I’m so sorry. I’m not attempting to upset you or get consideration. I simply have to die. I wished to inform you first as a result of you’re the most lovely individual I’ve ever seen and recognized all my life.”
She added: “My household doesn’t know what I’m about to do. Someday it will make extra sense. I’ve left greater than sufficient proof behind. However one thing unhealthy is about to occur.”
Moments later, Hale shot out the entrance doorways of The Covenant Faculty, a personal Christian academy, and walked inside clutching two assault rifles and a handgun.
She gunned down three 9-years-olds and three staffers earlier than she was fatally shot by police at 10:27 a.m. — 14 minutes after they acquired a name about an energetic shooter.
“I attempted to consolation and encourage her and subsequently reached out to the Suicide Prevention Assist Line after being instructed to by my father at 10:08 a.m.,” Patton informed NewsChannel 5.
“Audrey has shared with others that she had been suicidal prior to now and I knew to take this severe [sic],” she added.
The pal informed the outlet she referred to as the Nashville Davidson County Sheriff’s Workplace at 10:13 a.m. concerning the matter and was instructed to name Nashville’s non-emergency quantity.
“I referred to as Nashville’s non-emergency line at 10:14 a.m. and was on maintain for practically seven minutes earlier than talking with somebody who stated that they’d ship an officer to my dwelling. An officer didn’t come to my dwelling till 3:29 p.m.,” Patton informed the station.
“After telephone calls from buddies and Audrey’s identify was launched because the shooter at Covenant Nashville college, I realized that Audrey was the shooter and that she had reached out to me previous to the capturing,” she stated.
“My coronary heart is with all the households affected and I’m devastated by what has occurred,” Patton added.
Hale, who was a former pupil on the college, killed 9-year-olds Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs and Williams Kinney, custodian Mike Hill, 61, substitute trainer Cynthia Peak, 61, and faculty headmaster Katherine Koonce, 60, officers stated.
Police stated she left behind a manifesto and a map that she used to pla the bloodbath.
In case you are battling suicidal ideas or are experiencing a psychological well being disaster and reside in New York Metropolis, you’ll be able to name 1-888-NYC-WELL free of charge and confidential disaster counseling. When you reside exterior the 5 boroughs, you’ll be able to dial the 24/7 Nationwide Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.