Audrey Hale: 2 more assault rifles recovered from Nashville school shooter's home
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE: FBI agents have confiscated two more assault rifles from the residence of Nashville school shooter Audrey Hale. This is in addition to the two assault rifles and a handgun that were found at the scene of the massacre.
Nashville Police Chief John Drake confirmed that Hale had legally purchased two of the three weapons used in the shooting. However, it is unknown who the additional rifles found at his home belonged to, Daily Mail reported.
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Hale was a 28-year-old art school student who was diagnosed with 'high functioning' autism
Hale's mother, Norma, has been critical of guns on social media while her father Ronald has yet to comment on her actions. Hale was a 28-year-old art school student who was reportedly diagnosed with 'high functioning' autism, according to law enforcement sources cited by the Daily Beast.
'I'm planning to die today. This is not a joke'
Despite there being no warning signs from Hale's behavior, a friend received a message from her moments before the shooting indicating that she planned to die. The Instagram messages received by Averianna Patton, a former middle school basketball teammate of Audrey Hale read: "So basically that post I made on here about you, that was basically a suicide note. 'I'm planning to die today. This is not a joke!!! You'll probably hear about me on the news after I die. This is my last goodbye. I love you. See you again in another life.' Audrey (Aiden)."
'I've left behind more than enough evidence behind'
In one of the following messages she wrote, "One day this will make more sense," Hale wrote. "I've left behind more than enough evidence. But something bad is about to happen," WTVF reported.
Patton contacted Nashville Davidson County Sheriff's Office to make them aware of the situation and was instructed to call Nashville's non-emergency number. She, however, did not dial 911, resulting in a seven-minute delay before someone answered the call.
'I'm devastated by what has happened'
"After phone calls from friends and Audrey's name was released as the shooter at Covenant Nashville school, I learned that Audrey was the shooter and that she had reached out to me prior to the shooting," Patton said. "My heart is with all of the families affected and I'm devastated by what has happened."
Chief Drake stated that Hale had a motive of 'resentment' towards the church school he had attended although the exact details of his motive are still unclear. Hale had shot and killed three children and three teachers, including Head of School Katherine Koonce, whom Chief Drake described as being 'assassinated' in the hallway. Hale had reportedly shot 'everyone she came into contact with".