Cries for Covenant: Deadly mass shooting hits Nashville

Nashville Tennessean
·2 min read
11

Nashville had experienced tragedy before. Historic flooding. Shootings. A deadly tornado. A downtown Christmas Day bombing.

But the morning of March 27, 2023 was different.

That’s when six people — including three staff members and three 9-year-old children — died in a shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville.

The deadly shooting at the private Christian school unleashed a level of emotion and response not seen in Tennessee in decades, prompting a massive call to action from unlikely quarters and setting off a political firestorm at the state Capitol.

Students from the Covenant School hold hands after getting off a bus to meet their parents at the reunification site at the Woodmont Baptist Church Monday, March 27, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn.
Students from the Covenant School hold hands after getting off a bus to meet their parents at the reunification site at the Woodmont Baptist Church Monday, March 27, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn.

From the moment the story broke, The Tennessean’s team of journalists provided unparalleled coverage and expertise across its digital platforms — utilizing live blogs, video, social media, stunning photography and powerful words to convey the emotion and gravity of the day.

The Tennessean newsroom quickly mobilized, racing to the school, a reunification center, briefing areas and Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Photographer Nicole Hester captured the anguish with an iconic photograph of a young student looking out the window of a school bus transporting students from the scene to the family reunification center down the street.

A child weeps while on the bus leaving, The Covenant School, following a mass shooting a the school Monday morning in Nashville , Tenn., Monday, March 27, 2023. Three students and three adults were killed. The shooter was killed by police on the scene. Students were transported from Covenant School to a reunification center at Woodmont Baptist Church.

Reporter Keith Sharon captured the gravity of the nation’s latest school shooting:

The horrible task of counting began before noon. 

How many children and staff members had gone into Covenant School on Monday morning, and how many had come out alive after the gunshots? 

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Frantic administrators and teachers, tearful parents and first responders hurried to get that count finished. Parents were routed to nearby Woodmont Baptist Church waiting, hopefully, to be reunited with their children. 

And they waited. 

In fear. In shock. In anger. They waited for more understanding in a situation where none would be forthcoming.

In the first 72 hours following the shooting, The Tennessean team — across all departments — published more than 50 stories and dozens of photographs, galleries and videos.

But the coverage didn’t stop there. On the Sunday following the shooting, The Tennessean dispatched journalists –— from news and sports reporters to editors and photographers — to 40 faith communities in eight cities across Middle Tennessee to check-in on the spiritual well-being of congregants after the tragedy.

The coverage area stretched 2,400 square miles and included reporting from centers of worship representing 10 Christian denominations and five other religious and spiritual traditions.

Then the story moved to the state Capitol. Thousands of Tennesseans descended to call on lawmakers to pass gun reform. Three Democratic lawmakers broke House rules to lead a protest from the chamber’s floor, leading to historic expulsion votes for the “Tennessee Three.”

The Tennessean had standout coverage throughout it all, showcasing our deep commitment to our community.

March 27: 'Truly horrific'

March 28: 'Tragedy beyond comprehension'

March 29: 'A grieving city'

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Cries for Covenant: Deadly mass shooting hits Nashville