Audrey Hale, the Nashville school shooter responsible for the deaths of three children and three adults, sent a haunting message to a former middle school basketball teammate, Averianna Patton, just minutes before the tragic incident. In the message, Hale revealed, "I'm planning to die today," NewsChannel 5 reported.
Hale, a 28-year-old transgender individual, sent the chilling message to Patton on Instagram at 9:57 a.m. Monday. In the messages shared with the outlet, Hale expressed her intention to die, writing, "THIS IS NOT A JOKE!!! You'll probably hear about me on the news after I die."
In a desperate attempt to comfort Hale, Patton urged her to reconsider, but Hale insisted, "I just need to die." She further informed Patton that her family was unaware of her plans, adding, "One day this will make more sense. I've left more than enough evidence behind. But something bad is about to happen."
Shortly after, Hale entered The Covenant School, a private Christian academy, armed with two assault rifles and a handgun. She killed three 9-year-old children and three staff members before being fatally shot by police at 10:27 a.m.
Patton contacted the Suicide Prevention Help Line and the Nashville Davidson County Sheriff's Office, who directed her to Nashville's non-emergency number. Despite being on hold for nearly seven minutes, an officer did not arrive at her home until 3:29 p.m. By then, it was too late, as news broke that Audrey Hale was the shooter behind the tragic events at Covenant Nashville school.
In the aftermath, Patton expressed her devastation, saying, "My heart is with all of the families affected, and I'm devastated by what has happened." The victims included 9-year-olds Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs, and Williams Kinney, custodian Mike Hill, 61, substitute teacher Cynthia Peak, 61, and school headmaster Katherine Koonce, 60. Authorities revealed that Hale left behind a manifesto and a map detailing her plans for the massacre.
