Mike Hill: Slain custodian, 61, worked at Nashville's Covenant School for 13 years until his last breath
Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers' discretion advised
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE: In the tragic Nashville school shooting, slain 61-year-old custodian Mike Hill is being remembered as a hero who spent 13 years working in the school until his last breath. Audrey Hale, 28, shot and killed six people, including three nine-year-old children, before being fatally shot by the MNPD on Monday morning, March 27,
The harrowing incident took place inside The Covenant School when Hale stormed inside the private Christian school wielding two assault-style rifles and a pistol. They were identified as Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs, William Kinney, all aged 9, Katherine Koonce, 60, Cynthia Peak, 61, and Mike Hill, 61. However, Hale, who was born a female and used he/him as pronouns, was shot dead by police just 14 minutes after the school first called police to report an active shooter.
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Who is Mike Hill?
Hill was one of the six victims who lost their lives in the callous shooting. A pastor at Hartsville First United Methodist Church in Tennessee recalled hiring Hill 13 years ago when he worked at the church. "I didn't want to say a name until it had been announced officially. And now, I'm not real sure what to say," pastor Tim Dunavant wrote on Facebook. "This picture is Mike Hill. He was the last employee that I hired when I ran the kitchen at the Covenant church and school."
(Photo by Seth Herald/Getty Images)
Dunavant spoke of the tragedy and said, he hired Hill "over 13 years ago. he was still working there today when he was shot and killed," reported People. The pastor added, that he knew Hill as a kind person who in his last moments also must've acted as a hero. "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."
'Goodbye Mike!'
Dunavant concluded with one final message for Hill. "Goodbye Mike, I'm going to miss those encouraging texts out of the blue from you." Hale was a former student of The Covenant School. Although, the 28-year-old's motive remains unclear, but police found a manifesto that could hint at the reason behind the cold murders. Hale has no record of mental health problems or prior police records. Nashville Police Department spokesman, Don Aaron said, the shooter entered the school through a side entrance before opening fire. Hale was shot dead on the second floor of the building by two police officers after they heard gunfire erupt and engaged with the shooter.