The Tennessee Star filed a public records request seeking information related to “handwritten words, drawings, and numbers” found on the clothing of Audrey Elizabeth Hale, the Covenant School killer, at the time of the mass shootings.
Michael Patrick Leahy, Tennessee citizen and CEO of Star News Digital Media, Inc., parent company of The Star, filed the records request Thursday morning with the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department. MNPD officials sent an automatic reply acknowledging receipt of the request.
“MNPD Central Records has received your request and it is being processed,” the message stated.
The records request seeks records related to the “handwritten words, drawings and numbers” found on the clothing of Hale, the shooter in the March 27 mass shootings at Covenant Presbyterian School. Hale was fatally shot by responding police officers less than 15 minutes after she began her deadly attack.
The 28-year-old woman, who identified as a transgender man, covered her clothes in handwritten messages before she stormed into the school, according to an autopsy report.
A New York Post story also notes Hale was carrying a knife inscribed with her chosen name, Aiden.
The autopsy report notes that Hale wore a plastic anklet inscribed with “508407.”
“It’s unclear what was written on her clothes, and the revelation comes as the city faces public records lawsuits to demand the release of Hale’s manifesto and other writings, which were recovered at the crime scene and at her parents’ home,” The Post story states.
The Star is among several plaintiffs in the lawsuit seeking the release of Hale’s manifesto. MNPD and the Metro Nashville government have sought to block the public distribution of the documents.
Star News also has filed a federal lawsuit demanding the Federal Bureau of Investigation turn over its copy of the manifesto.
In the records request filed Friday, The Tennessee Star also is seeking “all electronic and paper communications within the Police Department regarding the ‘handwritten, words, drawings and numbers’ on Audrey Elizabeth Hale’s clothing.” The request also asks for “electronic and paper communications regarding the orange plastic anklet with the inscription ‘508407.’”
The significance or meaning of the numbers is not clear.
Police still haven’t released a motive for Hale’s violent assault. Details from the hand-written messages, drawings and numbers on her clothes — as well as her manifesto and other writings — are expected to shine light on the actions of the former Covenant student.
Hale murdered three 9-year-olds and three adult staff members during her rampage at the private Christian school.
Governor Bill Lee this week issued a proclamation calling for a special legislative session to take up gun-control measures, including a controversial “red flag” bill that many of his GOP allies in the Republican-controlled Tennessee General Assembly say is a non-starter.
Lee’s long-expected call for a special session is in response to the Covenant School shootings.
The governor’s proclamation asks the General Assembly to convene at 4 p.m. on August 21 to address myriad public safety issues.
Lee wants lawmakers to consider a bill creating “temporary mental health orders of protection.” Also referred to as “Extreme Risk Protection Orders,” the tools allow the revocation of Second Amendment rights to individuals deemed a threat to themselves or others.
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M.D. Kittle is the National Political Editor for The Star News Network.
Photo “Audrey Hale” by Metro Nashville Police Department.
