National Police Association responds to parents of Covenant school motion, others

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--The National Police Association (NPA) has filed a response to motions to intervene by The Covenant School and Covenant parents regarding the release of a mass shooter's manifesto.

On March 27, Audrey Hale opened fire inside the school, killing three 9-year-olds and three staff members. Police exchanged gunfire with Hale and killed her. In the wake of the shootings, police reported finding a manifesto of writings and maps left behind by Hale.

The Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) combed through the documents and MNPD was going through them for public release when a string of lawsuits calling for the full release of writings were filed. The suits, including one by the NPA, called for the release given the shooter was dead and the investigation had been closed.

The lawsuits prompted The Covenant School to file a motion to intervene in the suits, stating information contained in the writings could mitigate the school's ability to ensure safety. A second lawsuit in-line with the school's suit followed, this time by parents of students. This suit asked the Court to allow the parents an opportunity to state their case while allowing students to "finish the school year in peace."

The latest NPA motion states the parents' suit is a policy argument and it is not the Court's place to "consider the pros and cons of public access to these public records." The motion continues to state the parent's suit is an "obvious expression of anguish seeking sympathy", and "they will experience even greater suffering if they obtain a denial of public access that results in more school children being murdered."

In addition, the NPA argues not releasing the suit will only lead to more conjecture and rumors which may be unjustified if left without the actual documents being released.

See the full suit below or CLICK HERE:

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