6 Dead, Including 3 Children, After Shooter Opens Fire in Nashville School

The shooting took place at the Covenant School, Covenant Presbyterian Church in Tennessee.

"An active shooter event has taken place at Covenant School, Covenant Presbyterian Church. The shooter was engaged by MNPD (Metropolitan Nashville Police Department) and is dead," the MNPD took to Twitter to say.

(Photo: Twitter/Metro Nashville PD)

Video Editor: Vishnu Gopinath

Video Producer: Mohd Irshad Alam

At least six people were killed after a shooter opened fire in an elementary school in Nashville's Tennessee on Monday, 27 September.

Details: The victims included three 9-year-old children, the school’s top administrator, a substitute teacher, and a custodian, according to an AP report.

• The shooting took place at Covenant School, Covenant Presbyterian Church.

• The assailant was shot dead by the police, officials said

"An active shooter event has taken place at Covenant School, Covenant Presbyterian Church. The shooter was engaged by MNPD (Metropolitan Nashville Police Department) and is dead," the MNPD Twitter handle posted online.

Of note: Two out of three guns used by the shooter are believed to have been acquired legally in the Nashville area, police reportedly said.

Why it matters: The United States has a dark history of mass shootings, especially at educational institutions. Despite widespread calls for gun control, it's still a divisive topic that is split along party lines.

What they're saying: The police have identified the shooter as being a former student of the school but their gender is unclear, AP reported.

• They were carrying two “assault-style” weapons and a handgun

• The shooting was executed after elaborate planning that involved a detailed map and surveillance, as per the police

By the numbers: There have been seven mass killings at K-12 schools in the US since 2006, according to data by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University.

• Last year, a mass shooting also took place at a school in Uvalde in Texas, US

• Just last week, two school administrators were injured in a shooting in Denver and another shooting was reported in Dallas, US

Thoughts and prayers: "It’s ripping at the soul of this nation, ripping at the very soul of this nation," US President Joe Biden was quoted as saying by AP.

• He also called for a ban on assault weapons and had the US flag flown at half mast

(With inputs from AP.)