A 9-year-old hero schoolgirl who died while protecting her classmates during the Nashville school shooting has been identified.
Evelyn Dieckhaus was in The Covenant School when 28-year-old Audrey Hale stormed through the front door and opened fire on students and staff members alike.
Rather than seeking shelter after gunfire erupted, Evelyn attempted to pull the fire alarm to warn other people trapped in the school with the shooter.
Unfortunately, brave little Evelyn was shot dead in the confrontation.
Her parents have since branded her as the “shining light” in their family and revealed they were left “completely broken” by her premature death.
Evelyn is one of the three students who were killed in the Nashville mass shooting on Monday morning.
The other two deceased children include 9-year-old Hallie Scruggs and 9-year-old Will Kinney.
Hallie was the daughter of pastor Chad Scruggs who works at the school’s affiliated church. Heart-wrenching family photos of the young girl posing for pictures beside her parents and her three older brothers have since emerged.
Meanwhile, a friend of the Kinney family said: “He loved his sisters, adored his parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and was always excited to host friends of every age.
“Sweet Will knew no strangers, and our hearts our broken for his family as they try to find their way forward.”
Among the six victims of the school shooting were also three staff members including headteacher Katherine Koonce, custodian Mike Hill, and substitute teacher Cynthia Peak.
“I have watched school shootings happen over the years and never thought I would lose a loved one over a person trying to solve a temporary problem with a permanent solution,” Hill’s daughter said.
“I will not say her name because I will not glorify her actions. I wish the media would not say her name ever again.
“I am so sorry for the loss of those children seeing their names not called out safe was devastating as well as the chaplain telling me and my siblings and family this god awful news.”
Our thoughts remain with the victims and their families.
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