A makeshift memorial for victims is pictured by the Covenant School building at the Covenant Presbyterian Church following a shooting, in Nashville, Tennessee, March 28, 2023. - A heavily armed former student killed three young children and three staff in what appeared to be a carefully planned attack at a private elementary school in Nashville on Monday, before being shot dead by police. Chief of Police John Drake named the suspect as Audrey Hale, 28, who the officer later said identified as transgender. (Photo by Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP) (Photo by BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
Michael Hill was more than a custodial janitor at the Covenant School Audrey Hale targeted on Monday (March 27.) In a recent statement, his family gave more insight into the man who gave 14 years to the school.
Hill was one of six victims, including three 9-year-olds and two staff members, who died after Hale opened fire in the school. Mike passed away from his wounds, along with William Kinney, Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs, Cynthia Peak, and Katherine Koonce.
His family’s statement began with thanks to the Nashville community for their support during this time.
“We would like to thank the Nashville community for all the continued thoughts and prayers. As we grieve and try to grasp any sense of understanding of why this happened, we continue to ask for support. We pray for the Covenant School and are so grateful that Michael was beloved by the faculty and students who filled him with joy for 14 years,” the statement said.
NewsChannel 5 reporter Kelsey Gibbs reported the family’s statement via Twitter on Tuesday. In addition, the relatives added small details about Hill’s life outside of school, which included being with his family.
“He was a father of seven children…and 14 grandchildren. He liked to cook and spend time with family.”
Hill’s children are listed as Marquita Oglesby, Brittany Hill, Shakita Dobbins, Ebony Smith, Joshua Smith, Tawana Smith Garner, and Jeremy Smith.
Bodycam footage shows two officers fatally firing at Hale inside the school about 14 minutes after active shooter calls came in at 10:13 am. The officers, Rex Engelbert and Michael Collazo subdued Hale at 10:27 am local time, per CNN.
At the time, Hale was firing at arriving officers from a second-floor window. The authorities inside the building heard the gunshots from the first floor and took the stairs, where Engelbert then fired multiple shots in Hale’s direction as they rounded a corner. Collazo then approached Hale, warning Hale to drop their weapon before firing four additional shots.
Details in the case are still making their way to the public. However, we know Audrey Hale, who self-identified as transgender, was a former student of the Covenant School. Audrey entered the school by shooting through a glass door. The 28-year-old had three guns with “significant ammunition,” per Metro Nashville PD.
“Writing recovered from Hale revealed that her attack was calculated and planned. A search warrant executed at Hale’s Brightwood Avenue home resulted in the seizure of a sawed-off shotgun, a second shotgun, and other evidence,” Metro Nashville PD said in a press release.
