Newly released records from the Federal Bureau of Investigation connected to the Covenant School shooting in Nashville reveal writings by shooter Audrey Elizabeth Hale that detail her planning, motivations, and personal finances, including references to federal student aid alongside notes about acquiring firearms, as reported by Fox News.
The FBI released more than 100 pages of Hale’s writings following litigation.
The materials include journal entries believed to date back to late 2021, handwritten notes outlining preparations for a school shooting, and lists of weapons Hale intended to acquire.
FBI RECORDS REVEAL NASHVILLE SCHOOL SHOOTER USED FEDERAL STUDENT AID TO BUY GUNS FOR ATTACK ON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Your tax dollars funded a massacre.
Newly released FBI records reveal Covenant School shooter Audrey Hale used federal Pell Grant money to purchase the firearms… pic.twitter.com/Q9dWOswHJN
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) December 30, 2025
Some of the writings cite “Christian school (hate religion)” as a reason for targeting the Covenant School, a private Christian elementary school Hale previously attended.
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Hale, 28, carried out the attack on March 27, 2023, killing six people before being shot dead by responding officers with the Metro Nashville Police Department.
The victims were identified as school staff members Katherine Koonce, 60; Cynthia Peak, 61; and Mike Hill, 61; along with students Hallie Scruggs, Evelyn Dieckhaus, and William Kinney, all age 9.
Police previously released surveillance footage showing Hale moving through the school armed with multiple firearms.
Authorities said Hale entered through a side entrance and moved through several areas of the building before being confronted by officers.
INSANE VIDEO: Active shooter Audrey Elizabeth Hale drove to Covenant Church/School in her Honda Fit this morning, parked, and shot her way into the building. She was armed with 2 assault-type guns and a 9 millimeter pistol.
— Matt Couch (@RealMattCouch) March 28, 2023
Officials also disclosed that, shortly before the shooting, Hale sent a text message to a friend describing the planned attack as a “suicide mission” and stating the friend would likely “hear about me on the news after I die,” according to summaries released by authorities.
Among the newly released FBI materials is a handwritten page labeled “Account Savings Record” that references federal student financial aid.
In the entry, Hale wrote that “FAFSA [sic] grant checks started at $2,050.86,” followed by ledger-style notes documenting payments from Nossi College of Art and Design, where Hale was enrolled at the time.
The financial entries appear alongside extensive notes about firearms Hale planned to purchase and use in the attack.
The The Tennessee Star reported that the records may support statements made by Hale’s parents to Metro Nashville detectives shortly after the shooting.
According to those accounts, Hale’s parents told investigators in 2023 that their child had used federal Pell Grant money to purchase the firearms used in the attack.
Hale’s mother also reportedly told police that because Hale was over 25 and enrolled as a student, parental income no longer factored into financial aid eligibility, allowing Hale to qualify for grant funding despite being unemployed.
Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake previously confirmed that investigators recovered a manifesto and hand-drawn maps from Hale’s vehicle after the shooting.
While portions of Hale’s writings have since been released, city police and the FBI have continued to resist public records requests seeking the full manifesto.
The newly released documents add to the public record surrounding the Covenant School attack, detailing Hale’s written planning and financial notes while key materials, including the complete manifesto, remain withheld.
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