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'My heart is just hurting': Nashville TV anchors fight back tears while reporting on school shooting

Six people, including three children, died after the attack at The Covenant School

NASHVILLE, TENNESSE: Two local NBC news anchors broke down in tears during live broadcast of the horrific shooting at a Nashville school that claimed at least six lives, including three children at Covenant Presbyterian Church. Reporters found it hard to keep their composure as they broadcast the terrible news on WSMV in Nashville.

When Holly Thompson tried to announce the shocking news that the suspect who had committed a shooting had been pronounced dead and that many children had also lost their lives, she convulsed with emotion and had difficulty speaking. She cried out, "Oh my goodness!" as she was overwhelmed by her emotions.

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How did Nashville TV anchors react to the tragedy?

Thompson offered condolences saying, "My heart is just hurting right now. Prayers and thoughts for these families." Her co-anchor Amanda Hara momentarily took over before handing the broadcast off to reporter Michael Warrick who was outside the studio. Hara was seen soaked in tears as she gave the heartbreaking news.

'There really are no words'

Thompson made a second appearance and had to help Hara, who was struggling to contain her tears as she talked about how parents were unable to get any real-time updates on the safety of their children as the disaster was taking place. "There are just so many questions and people wanting to know what was actually happening," she started, her voice breaking loudly. "There really are no words." Thompson patted the woman's shoulder, calming her. 

'I'm getting emails from my child's school'

Hara also broke down in tears earlier in the show as she described how her own children's schools had been placed on lockdown as a safety measure, only adding to the grief of the whole scenario. "I'm getting emails from my child's school that they're going into lockdown at this time just as a precaution," Hara stated during a broadcast on WSMV on Monday. "And one of my other children’s schools is working with security to make sure that everything is safe," she continued as she started to cry.

'It’s obviously very emotional'

"It's going to be okay," said fellow anchor Thompson as she put a hand on her shoulder. She then turned to the camera and stated, "it’s obviously very emotional, we know many of you are just now tuning in and as a parent, you know our hearts go out to all these kids and these other parents who are out there." "We know the emotions are high, there’ so much concern, there’s still a lot of panic, there’s worry because we have a lot of people trying to figure out what’s the status of my child, what’s the status of my spouse," Thompson added.

'I was moved'

Thomson also posted on Twitter and wrote, "My heart breaks for these precious midstate families… Praying for all involved." Users quickly responded for the courageous report. A user commented, "I want to thank you for you’re caring compassionate coverage of this heartbreaking tragic here in Nashville today. Thank you for offering prayers to all the families as well. I stand w you in offering prayers to all those affected." Another user said, "Sad but thanks for the reporting Champ!" Another user mentioned, "The emotion shown during your coverage shows that you’re a compassionate and caring person along with being a professional. I was moved to see someone in the media show their feelings as you did."

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