MNPD Chief says he, families concerned mass shooter's writings could be 'blueprint'

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) Chief John Drake is echoing concerns from The Covenant School parents over the potential release of writings left behind by a mass shooter who opened fire at the school and killed three children and three staff members.

The writings left behind by Audrey Hale have been a source of continued debate following the March 27 shooting which resulted in police fatally shooting Hale. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and MNPD obtained the writings left behind by Hale, which included other potential targets.

Although MNPD had previously told FOX 17 News they were being examined for potential public release, lawsuits filed on behalf of the National Police Association (NPA) and Tennessee Firearms Association (TFA) calling for the release of the documents stalled any potential release given the legal constraints. These lawsuits were met by legal filings from The Covenant School and parents of students at the school calling for the judge presiding over the case to consider their stances before making a judgement.

RELATED: Covenant parents believe shooter's writings will traumatize families, children

Among the concerns expressed have been the school's ability to execute safety measures and the continued trauma students and families could experience should the writings be released. Chief John Drake has now stated his support of the parents and school motions, stating it could lead to future problems.

"Our whole reasoning behind this is that in these school shootings, a lot of these people use writings and manifestos from other shootings and we don't want someone to take the blueprint from Nashville to go kill other kids or somebody else," Chief Drake says. "We're just trying to protect the families. That's why the families don't want it released. That's our main purpose. If we could put it out to the masses and keep certain people from seeing it, we don't know who those people are, right?"

Chief Drake also stated the investigation is "very much still an open investigation," seemingly countering arguments made by NPA and TFA claiming the writings should be released since the investigation was over given the shooter was killed.

The Court continues to hear from all parties in the case as it pertains to the writings and Chief Drake says whatever the decision, MNPD will "stand behind it."