Audrey Hale wanted to die and wanted to kill. He achieved his goal by murdering three children and three adults at a Christian elementary school in Nashville and then being shot at by officers. Forever. He could have shot himself in the head and instead became a terrorist. Determined, relentless, prepared, with a brief concession to feelings through a farewell message on Instagram.
The former transgender student wrote to her friend Averianna Patton, with whom she played on the same basketball team, in a few words: “I have decided to die today, this post is like a suicide note. You’ll probably hear about me on the news after I’m dead… I love you. See you in another life… All this will make more sense one day, I’ve got enough evidence behind me.” Disturbing words that Averianna immediately reported to 911, but there was no time to find out where Audrey was.
It was 9:57. Sixteen minutes later, police received reports of gunfire. Another 14 will pass before the epilogue as the agents break in, combing classroom after classroom, and then intercept the killer on the first floor. Sequence filmed by a police officer’s body camera, including the final shooting in front of a large window, between screams and alarm sirens.
Chaotic scenes followed by hasty reconstructions. Authorities have said a lot compared to other episodes without paying attention to the details. First they spoke of a teenager, then a 28-year-old woman, then a transgender woman, finally a man. Updated versions as they were put together and testimonials collected. Audrey – who preferred to sign Aiden and presented herself as a man – left a “manifesto” which was restored after the massacre. So far, many technical details about the attack have emerged, but little about the reasons behind it. The police speak of a possible resentment against the school he attended. Many classmates describe Hale as a quiet, sweet, reserved person. But they had lost touch long before his transformation. He lived with his parents, who were “very religious,” according to a neighbor. An anonymous source told the Chron that the parents “couldn’t accept” that Audrey was transgender and that she could only dress up as a man when leaving the house. Police said yesterday he was receiving medical treatment for “emotional disorders”.
Averianna adds that he has already shown suicidal thoughts, an aspect that is ignored or underestimated by his loved ones. Something that motivated the meticulous planning of the massacre. He monitored the complex, he chose it because it was less well defended (according to the writings found by the police, he would have considered and then refused even to meet “family members and a shopping center”).
He drew a map showing the school, the guns he would use, the clothes he would wear, “like in a comic book,” the police chief said (Hale had a degree in graphic design and a lot of artistic talent). He wore tactical gloves for grip and camo pants. Lots of ammo in a vest. Shots for a couple of rifles, one of which is the AR 15 – which has appeared in so many massacres – and a pistol. He had bought 7 guns legally from five different stores and hidden them in his parents’ house. He knew the main entrance was locked, so he shot through the windows.
On the morning of the massacre, her mother, Norma, 61, saw Audrey walking away with a red bag and asked what was inside. An apology was heard. If he had opened it, he would have found the guns. In 2018, Norma shared a campaign on Facebook to keep guns out of schools and ban high-capacity magazines. But he doesn’t know that “the daughter” still owns guns: he used to have a gun and he thinks he sold it. “It’s a difficult time – he told reporters -. I have lost my daughter.’