FBI Records Reveal Nashville Shooter Used Federal Student Aid to Purchase Guns
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Newly released FBI documents reveal that Audrey Elizabeth Hale, the perpetrator of the 2023 Covenant School shooting, used federal Pell Grant funds to purchase firearms used in the deadly attack. The documents, which include more than 100 pages of Hale’s personal writings and financial records, provide a disturbing glimpse into the planning and motivations behind the tragedy that claimed six lives.
Hale, 28, carried out the March 27, 2023, assault at the Christian elementary school she once attended, killing three children and three staff members before being fatally shot by Metro Nashville Police officers. The victims included students Hallie Scruggs, Evelyn Dieckhaus, and William Kinney, all aged 9, as well as staff members Katherine Koonce, Cynthia Peak, and Mike Hill, all in their 60s.
Among the FBI records released after litigation are handwritten journal entries dating back to late 2021, which include detailed notes on weapons acquisition and references to Hale’s personal finances. One page, labeled “Account Savings Record,” documents payments from Nossi College of Art and Design in Nashville, where Hale was enrolled, alongside notation of federal student aid disbursements. The entries indicate that Hale received Pell Grant money, with amounts starting at $2,050.86, which was reportedly used to fund firearm purchases.
The writings also reveal Hale’s animosity toward the school’s Christian affiliation, listing “Christian school (hate religion)” as a motive for targeting the Covenant School. Surveillance footage released by the Metro Nashville Police Department showed Hale moving through the school armed with multiple firearms, entering through a side entrance and proceeding through several areas before being confronted by officers.
Authorities have confirmed that Hale described the attack in a text message to a friend as a “suicide mission,” warning that the friend would likely “hear about me on the news after I die.” The FBI’s release of these materials follows ongoing investigations into the shooter’s background and the circumstances that enabled the attack.
The use of federal student aid funds to purchase weapons raises critical questions about oversight and the safeguards in place to prevent misuse of such resources. The Federal Student Aid program, administered by the U.S. Department of Education, provides grants and loans to eligible students to cover educational expenses, but does not monitor expenditures after disbursement.
This revelation comes amid broader national debates on gun control and school safety, with law enforcement agencies and policymakers scrutinizing how firearms are obtained and used in mass shootings. The Federal Bureau of Investigation continues to analyze the case, releasing documents to the public to enhance transparency and inform ongoing discussions.
The Metro Nashville Police Department has also made public the surveillance footage and identified the two officers who fatally shot Hale during the incident. Police Chief John Drake emphasized the bravery of the officers who responded swiftly to end the attack.
The tragedy at the Covenant School has left an indelible mark on the Nashville community and reignited calls for comprehensive measures to prevent similar attacks. The newly disclosed FBI records, accessible through the Department of Justice, provide critical insights into the shooter’s mindset and the financial means that facilitated the crime.
As investigations proceed, officials urge vigilance and cooperation from the public to identify warning signs and support preventative efforts. The incident underscores the complex challenges faced by law enforcement and educational institutions in safeguarding students and staff from violence.
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