Vanderbilt Records Show Knowledge of Shooter Homicidal Thoughts

Leaked investigative documents indicate Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital knew school shooter Audrey Hale described homicidal fantasies before the attack that killed six people, including three nine year olds, at Covenant Christian School. Police sought to determine whether hospital staff knew of her mental state and whether required warnings were made.

Records show Hale had been receiving treatment connected to the hospital since childhood and was still under care at the time of the shooting. Notes obtained by investigators reportedly documented homicidal ideation, including statements about wanting to shoot up a school. Investigators also found Hale had bottles of Lexapro, buspirone, and hydroxyzine prescribed by the hospital.

The Metro Nashville Police Department subpoenaed Hale’s psychological and medical records and later pursued a search warrant seeking materials that could confirm what staff knew about her condition. Tennessee Code 33 3 206 required certain reporting when a patient became homicidal or suicidal and shared a plan, though at the time it required warning intended victims rather than law enforcement. State Representative Jason Zachary later changed the law after the attack to require reporting threats of violence to law enforcement.