One other American group is reeling after a shooter killed three 9-year-olds and three adults at a non-public Christian elementary college in Nashville.

Monday’s assault was the deadliest US college capturing in practically a yr and the nineteenth capturing at a college or college up to now in 2023 that left a minimum of one particular person wounded, a CNN depend exhibits.

“Our group is heartbroken,” The Covenant College, a ministry of Covenant Presbyterian Church, stated in a press release, expressing due to first responders for his or her fast response and people displaying assist for the varsity.

“We’re grieving large loss and are in shock popping out of the phobia that shattered our faculty and church. We’re targeted on loving our college students, our households, our school and workers and starting the method of therapeutic,” the varsity stated.

“All of Tennessee was damage yesterday,” Gov. Invoice Lee stated in a video assertion launched Tuesday night time.

Right here’s what we all know up to now concerning the victims:

Evelyn Dieckhaus

Evelyn was 9, police stated. Whereas her household appreciates all of the love and assist they’ve obtained, they’re asking for area as they grieve, in keeping with a household assertion obtained by CNN affiliate KMOV.

“Our hearts are fully damaged. We can not consider this has occurred,” the assertion stated. “Evelyn was a shining mild on this world.”

Mike Hill

Hill, 61, was a beloved custodian on the college, police stated, and a father of seven youngsters.

Often called “Large Mike” to college students, Hill was a member of the amenities/kitchen workers, in keeping with the varsity web site.

The workers member beloved to cook dinner and spend time together with his household, in keeping with a household assertion obtained by CNN affiliate WSMV. He had 14 grandchildren.

“We want to thank the Nashville group for all of the continued ideas and prayers. As we grieve and attempt to grasp any sense of understanding of why this occurred, we proceed to ask for assist,” the assertion stated.

“We pray for the Covenant College and are so grateful that Michael was beloved by the school and college students who stuffed him with pleasure for 14 years,” it added.

Nashville mother and father arrange a GoFundMe web page to assist assist Hill’s household with funeral bills.

“Per his household, he took nice pleasure and located large pleasure in his job and thru these college students,” the GoFundMe added.

His daughter, Brittany Hill, stated in a Fb put up on Monday that her dad “completely beloved” his job.

“I’ve watched college shootings occur through the years and by no means thought I’d lose a beloved one over an individual attempting to resolve a short lived drawback with a everlasting answer,” she stated. “I’m so sorry for the lack of these youngsters,” she added.

“Please preserve my household in your prayers tonight. Hug your mother and father and kids slightly tighter.”

Katherine Koonce

Koonce was 60, police stated, and head of the varsity.

She attended Vanderbilt College and Trevecca Nazarene College in Nashville and acquired her grasp’s diploma from Georgia State College, the varsity stated.

Jim and Monica Lee, mates and former co-workers of Koonce, spoke Tuesday with reporters about her dedication.

“She gave her life as a result of she was attempting to guard college students, shield school,” stated Jim Lee.

They stated the educator had a terrific humorousness and was assured. Koonce exhibited humility and made every particular person she interacted with really feel vital, Jim Lee stated.

“She might be on her knees speaking to a preschool pupil, than she might flip round and be speaking to a board member after which flip round and meet with an indignant mother or father after which flip round and meet with the trainer that’s having a foul day,” he added.

Cynthia Peak

Peak, 61, was a substitute trainer on the college, in keeping with police and officers.

Tennessee Gov. Invoice Lee talked concerning the shut relationship his spouse Maria had with Peak.

The trainer was supposed to come back over to the Lee house Monday night for dinner.

“Maria wakened this morning with out one in every of her finest mates,” stated Lee.

“Cindy and Maria and Katherine Koonce have been all academics on the similar college and have been household mates for many years,” Lee stated.

“There shall be a time to speak concerning the laws and finances proposals we’ve introduced ahead this yr. And clearly, there’s extra work to do,” he stated Tuesday night time.

“There’s hope within the midst of nice tragedy as a result of God is a redeemer. What is supposed for evil might be turned for good. Could we grieve within the days forward, however not with out hope. Could we additionally act with knowledge, discernment, and style. And will we love, particularly those that have misplaced,” Lee stated in his video message.

Louisiana state Rep. Charles Anthony Owen instructed CNN he’s identified Peak his entire life. Her hometown of Leesville, Louisiana, is grieving, Owen stated.

“She and my sister have been the closest of mates rising up and it looks as if Cindy was round for all of my childhood,” he stated Tuesday in a Fb put up. “She and Mae Ann had birthdays someday aside and her household lived throughout the road from us for a time frame. Cindy and Mae have been at all times collectively.”

Owen wrote that when Mae handed, Peak was one of many first faces he recalled seeing. “She was proper right here to grieve her previous good friend,” he stated.

Hallie Scruggs

Hallie, 9, had a “love for all times” that bounded by her, from her smile to her “at all times on the go” spirit, her aunt stated.

“To observe her these previous 9 years has been a present and a privilege,” Kara Arnold wrote in a Fb put up. “I’ve usually longed for a daughter and Hallie embodied all of these issues I’d need in my very own little woman.”

She stated Hallie and her son Chip have been virtually the identical age and have been very shut.

“Once they have been collectively nobody else existed and we might not often know the place they have been or what they have been as much as,” she wrote, including that they have been often concerned in some kind of mischief.

“She was extremely sensible, feisty sufficient to maintain up together with her 3 brothers and my 4 boys, a love for all times that saved her smiling and operating and leaping and taking part in and at all times on the go,” she wrote.

Arnold instructed CNN that she is on her solution to Nashville to be together with her brother and sister-in-law.

“I don’t have the phrases to handle this tragedy. I’m in shock and my boys and Adam and I can’t even comprehend that she’s gone,” she wrote.

“We’re grieving so deeply. And for my brother and sister in legislation and my nephews who’re dwelling probably the most unspeakable nightmare. We damage with you and need we might take your damage away,” she wrote.

Hallie was the daughter of Covenant Presbyterian Church Lead Pastor Chad Scruggs, in keeping with a press release by Park Cities Presbyterian Church in Dallas, a sister church Scruggs previously served.

“We love the Scruggs household and mourn with them over their treasured daughter Hallie,” the Texas congregation’s Senior Pastor Mark Davis stated. “Collectively, we belief within the energy of Christ to attract close to and provides us the consolation and hope we desperately want.”

William Kinney

Will, 9, had an “unflappable spirit,” mates of the Kinney household shared on a GoFundMe web page.

“He was unfailingly sort, light when the state of affairs known as for it, fast to snicker, and at all times inclusive of others,” the web page stated. “He beloved his sisters, adored his mother and father, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and was at all times excited to host mates of all ages. Candy Will knew no strangers.”

“Our hearts are damaged for his household as they attempt to discover their manner ahead,” it added.

The GoFundMe web page had raised greater than $133,000 by Wednesday afternoon.

Correction: A earlier model of this story misspelled Jim Lee’s first identify.

CNN’s Amanda Jackson, Jamiel Lynch, Taliah Miller, Jillian Sykes, Sarah Dewberry and Christina Zdanowicz contributed to this report.

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