After body camera footage was released Tuesday showing Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) officers charging into The Covenant School and killing Audrey Elizabeth Hale, the shooter responsible for killing three children and three adults at the school, social media is abuzz with praise for the officers.
(Warning: the body camera footage is graphic)
“Abject evil came to Nashville, to a Christian school of all places. Some really brave men responded forcefully,” said conservative commentator Steve Cortes, posting the video of the footage.
Abject evil came to Nashville, to a Christian school of all places.
Some really brave men responded forcefully. Bodycam footage here from the Metro Nashville PD…https://t.co/DTRywNkZ5B
— Steve Cortes (@CortesSteve) March 28, 2023
“Absolutely harrowing bodycam footage. My heart was thumping watching it & can only imagine the adrenaline these officers felt as they rushed in while shooter was still firing,” said Fox News reporter Bill Melugin. “Elite marksmanship from Officer Englebert, who appears to down the shooter w/ his first shots. Heroes.”
Absolutely harrowing bodycam footage. My heart was thumping watching it & can only imagine the adrenaline these officers felt as they rushed in while shooter was still firing. Elite marksmanship from Officer Englebert, who appears to down the shooter w/ his first shots. Heroes. https://t.co/abS7d4CZoq
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) March 28, 2023
“NEW VIDEO – Police have released body cam footage of officers shooting and killing the transgender shooter who murdered 3 students and 3 school employees at a Nashville Christian school yesterday. These men are heroes,” said Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk.
https://twitter.com/charliekirk11/status/1640724220668968961
“What this bodycam footage shows is heroism. It is courage. When you see it, you realize how diseased it is that we apply same words to narcissists promoting their own sexual impulses & identity preoccupations. God bless these heroes, these good men whose courage likely saved many,” said Claremont Fellow Megan Basham.
What this bodycam footage shows is heroism. It is courage. When you see it, you realize how diseased it is that we apply same words to narcissists promoting their own sexual impulses & identity preoccupations. God bless these heroes, these good men whose courage likely saved many https://t.co/vSmf446hWQ
— Megan Basham (@megbasham) March 28, 2023
It reportedly took only six minutes from entering the school for MNPD officers Engelbert and Callazo to neutralize Hale, who had a detailed map and plan to carry out the act of violence. It only took 14 minutes from when authorities were first alerted that shots had been fired to eliminate Hale.
A citywide candlelight vigil is scheduled Tuesday evening to remember those lost in the attack.
The victims are Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs, and William Kinney, all aged nine.
Three adults associated with the school, Cynthia Peak, a substitute teacher, and Mike Hill, the janitor, both aged 61; and Katherine Koonce, the head of the school, aged 60, were also killed.
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Pete D’Abrosca is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Pete on Twitter.
Photo “Rex Engelbert” by Metro Nashville PD. Photo “Michael Collazo” by Metro Nashville PD. Background Photo “Audrey Elizabeth Hale’s Car” by Metro Nashville PD.
Neutralize? Sounds like doublespeak to me.