Nashville shooter’s friend was on hold with city, trying to raise alarm as attack was under way

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy On 27 March, at 10.13am, Nashville police got a call that an individual, later revealed to be 28-year-old Audrey Hale, was roaming the halls of The Covenant School, a private Christian elementary school, in a shooting that eventually claimed the lives of six victims. Ms Patton told her father about the messages, and he told her to get in touch with the Suicide Prevention Helpline, which directed the woman to get in touch with the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office. On Tuesday, Nashville police John Drake said later interviews with Hale’s parents revealed the 28-year-old had been receiving treatment for an “emotional disorder,” leaving his parents concerned that “should not own weapons.” The chief added that while there isn’t a Tennessee law that would allow them to have seized Hale’s guns, police would’ve tried to prevent the shooting had they been given warning. “If it had been reported she was suicidal or was going to kill someone and had been reported to us, we would’ve tried to get those weapons,” he said, adding, “As it stands, we had absolutely no idea who this person was.” Police have not confirmed a motive for the massacre, though they have discovered maps, drawings, and research that apparently went into Hale’s plan for the shooting.