Editor’s word: This story discusses suicide and self-harm. In case you or a cherished one are in danger, contact the Nationwide Suicide Prevention Lifeline for help at 988 or 1-800-273-8255.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The shooter accused of killing three kids and three adults at a Nashville elementary faculty on Monday despatched chilling messages to a buddy minutes earlier than the assault.
Averianna Patton was speaking on the telephone Monday morning when she noticed an uncommon message from Audrey Hale, her center faculty basketball teammate. It was 9:57 a.m.
“I am planning to die at this time … You will most likely hear about me on the information,” Hale wrote.
Patton stated she tried to consolation Hale whereas sending screenshots of the Instagram messages to her father. Patton referred to as the Suicide Prevention Helpline as her father recommended at 10:08 a.m.
At 10:11 a.m., 28-year-old Hale shattered the glass doorways of the Covenant College and walked down the corridor armed with two AR-style rifles and a handgun. Hale shot and killed three 9-year-old college students and three grownup employees members earlier than responding law enforcement officials fatally shot Hale.
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When Patton noticed the information later, she was shocked.
“I’d have by no means imagined — not what I am seeing on that TV,” Patton stated.
Hale’s final messages despatched minutes earlier than faculty breech
Hale, a former Covenant pupil, pulled into the varsity’s parking zone. Nashville police stated Hale deliberate the assault, forsaking drawings of detailed maps of the constructing and factors of entry. Hale was underneath a physician’s take care of an emotional dysfunction, police later decided, however had no legal historical past.
Hale messaged Patton whereas already on Covenant College property, apologizing and stating he wished to die. The messages have been first reported by NewsChannel 5.
Hale, who police stated recognized as transgender and used male pronouns on social media, informed Patton a publish he made on March 13 was actually a suicide word.
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Patton knew Hale had shared suicidal ideas with different former teammates up to now.
“One thing in me was like, ‘No, it’s good to assist. Do one thing,'” Patton stated.
On the recommendation of the Suicide Prevention Helpline, she referred to as the Davidson County Sheriff’s Workplace at 10:13 a.m. The workplace directed her to Nashville’s non-emergency telephone quantity, and Patton referred to as at 10:14 a.m.
She spent about seven minutes on maintain earlier than the dispatcher took down her data and stated they’d ship somebody to Patton’s dwelling.
They did not arrive till round 3:29 p.m., she stated.
‘I am simply numb proper now’
Patton performed basketball with Hale once they attended Isaiah T. Cresswell Center College of the Arts.
Hale was timid at first, Patton stated. The group was close-knit, however Patton did not spend time with Hale exterior of college or sports activities. They each went on to attend highschool at Nashville College of the Arts and saved in touch over time by Instagram posts and feedback, however they did not speak recurrently.
Patton considered herself as a type of “massive sister.”
Hale by no means talked to Patton about Covenant — actually, Patton did not know Hale had attended the varsity.
As an grownup, Hale was supportive of Patton’s native journalism profession, generally attending Patton’s internet hosting occasions or TV tapings or creating Instagram posts that includes Patton’s images paired with quotes or inspirational messages.
Patton final noticed Hale earlier this month at a celebration of life for an additional former teammate who died in a automobile crash in August 2022.
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“I am simply numb proper now … I’ve actually thoughts blowing moments like, what on this planet,” Patton stated. “I am actually taking each second at a time.”
Patton stated she’s praying for the victims’ households and all these impacted.
She would really like the group to have a clearer course of in place for getting assist when individuals “scream out” or share suicidal ideas. Individuals could not take into consideration what they’d do in a state of affairs like that.
“It does not hit you till it is you,” Patton stated.
