Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has called for prayers in the wake of Monday's lethal mass taking pictures at a Nashville fundamental school, whilst noting that "there will be a time to speak about the legislation."
"I am calling on the human beings of Tennessee to pray. For the households of victims, for the Covenant family, for these brave officers, for the family of the shooter, for these who are hurting and irritated and confused," Lee, a Republican, said in a video tackle on Tuesday evening. "Prayer is the first aspect we ought to do, but it is no longer the solely thing."
A shooter gunned down three children and three adults at the Covenant School in Tennessee's capital metropolis on Monday morning. Responding officers shot and killed the suspect -- identified as Audrey Hale, 28, of Nashville -- about 14 minutes after the preliminary 911 name got here in, in accordance to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department.
"Law enforcement officers and educators throughout our kingdom have been working for years, especially in the closing year, to strengthen the security of schools. That work used to be no longer in useless -- the braveness and swift response with the aid of the teachers, officers and this neighborhood without a doubt averted further tragedy," Lee said in his video address. "There will be a time to discuss about the regulation and budget proposals we've got brought ahead this year. And sincerely there is greater work to do."
"But on this day after the tragedy, I choose to speak to that which rises above all else," he added. "The conflict is no longer towards flesh and blood, it is now not in opposition to people. The war is against evil itself."
candlelit vigil was held in Nashville Wednesday evening in honor of the victims of the taking pictures that was once attended by using first female Jill Biden.
Police have recognized the slain young people as 9-year-old students Evelyn Dieckhaus, William Kinney and Hallie Scruggs. The person victims have been recognized as 61-year-old custodian Mike Hill, 60-year-old head of college Katherine Koonce and 61-year-old substitute trainer Cynthia Peak.
In his video address, the Tennessee governor printed that his wife, Maria, has been pals with Peak and Koonce "for decades."
"Cindy used to be supposed to come over to have dinner with Maria closing night time after she stuffed in as a replacement trainer the day past at Covenant," Lee said.
The Covenant School, a private Christian college for teenagers in preschool thru sixth grade, has about 209 college students and forty to 50 staff members. It does now not have a college aid officer, in accordance to police.
In a declaration launched Monday night, the Covenant School stated its neighborhood "is heartbroken."
"We are grieving excellent loss and are in shock coming out of the terror that shattered our church and school," the college said. "We are focused on loving our students, our families, our school and workforce and opening the manner of healing."