Remembering the six victims of the Covenant School shooting

Six people lost their lives in a shooting at the Covenant School in Nashville on Monday.

A former student with multiple firearms fatally shot three 9-year-old children and three adults at the small, private Christian school before city police officers fired shots to end the attack.

Community members, family and friends have shared thoughts about their loved ones. Below are their names as well as a space to share how this tragedy is affecting you and your community.

Evelyn Dieckhaus, 9

Evelyn Dieckhaus was a third grader at the Covenant School. In an obituary published Thursday, Evelyn was described as someone with “wide open arms” and an “infectious laugh.” 

“Evelyn made people feel known, seen, but never judged.”

Evelyn composed music on the piano, guitar and ukulele and liked to sing tunes by Taylor Swift and the musical “Hamilton.” She maintained a collection of stuffed animal tigers and wanted a rat for her 10th birthday, according to the obituary. 

During a vigil at Woodmont Christian Church on Monday, The Tennessean reports senior minister Clay Stauffer called her “a shining light and an amazing person.”

The Dieckhaus family released a statement that reads, in part, “Our hearts are completely broken. We cannot believe this has happened.” The family said they appreciate the love and support they’re receiving and asked for privacy as they grieve.

A funeral service was held on Friday at Woodmont Christian Church in Nashville. Guests were invited to wear pink and joyful colors. 

Mike Hill, 61

Courtesy Kelsey Gibbs Twitter

Mike Hill is pictured with family members.

Michael “Mike” Hill worked at the Covenant School for 14 years. Mike was from Cleveland, Ohio, and lived in Nashville. He is survived by seven children and 14 grandchildren.

“Today my dad lost his life … I have watched school shootings happen over the years and never thought I would lose a loved one,” Brittany Hill, Mike’s daughter, wrote in a Facebook post. “Hug your parents and children a little tighter.”

Anne Puricelli is the organizer of a GoFundMe page for the Hill family, which had over $450,000 raised on Wednesday afternoon.

“He was ‘Big Mike’ to his students, who will surely feel his loss in the years to come. Per his family, he took great pleasure and found tremendous joy in his job and through those students,” Anne wrote.

A funeral for Mike will take place at Stephens Valley Church in Nashville at 11 a.m. Tuesday, with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. 

William Kinney, 9

William Kinney was a student at the Covenant School.

In a GoFundMe post set up by a family friend, Kinney is described as a child with an “unflappable spirit” who loved his sisters, parents and extended family.

“He was unfailingly kind, gentle when the situation called for it, quick to laugh, and always inclusive of others,” the post said.

William was in a youth baseball league and a fan of the Cincinnatti Reds. Red ribbons have been placed at the Crieve Hall baseball park in honor of William. 

Neighbors have since placed red ribbons on their homes and mailboxes, News Channel 5 reported. 

A service for William has been scheduled at Christ Presbyterian at 2:30 p.m. Sunday. 

Katherine Koonce, 60

Katherine Koonce Facebook

Katherine Koonce is pictured with husband, Dick Koonce.

Katherine Koonce was the head of the Covenant School. She was a longtime educator in Nashville, previously serving as the academic dean at Christ Presbyterian Academy before joining the Covenant School in 2016, and wrote a book, “Parenting the Way God Parents.”

Katherine lived in Brentwood and is survived by her husband, Dick Koonce, and two children.

Anna Caudill was a former colleague and a friend of Katherine Koonce for more than 20 years. Anna told This Is Nashville on Tuesday that Katherine was a kind educator and helped students with disabilities by developing a program similar to the Individualized Education Program used at public schools.

“She was just a dynamo, and she honored humanity so much. She had such a deep, abiding respect for the sacredness of life,” Caudill said. “She talked frankly with students about their disabilities.”

A visitation for Katherine was scheduled for 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Christ Presbyterian Church. 

Cynthia Peak, 61

Ellie Peak Facebook

Cynthia Peak is pictured with her family.

Cynthia “Cindy” Peak was born in Leesville, Louisiana. She worked at the Covenant School as a substitute teacher and had worked at Christ Presbyterian Academy with Katherine Koonce and Tennessee First Lady Maria Lee, according to Gov. Bill Lee.

“Maria woke up this morning without one of her best friends: Cindy Peak. Cindy was supposed to come over to have dinner with Maria last night, after she filled in as a substitute teacher yesterday at Covenant. Cindy and Maria and Katherine Koonce were all teachers at the same school and have been family friends for decades,” Gov. Bill Lee said in a video statement.

Cindy lived in Franklin. She is survived by her husband, Chris Peak, and three children.

A visitation for Cindy will occur at Christ Presbyterian Church at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. A service will follow at noon. 

Hallie Scruggs, 9

Hallie Scruggs was a student at the Covenant school and daughter to Chad Scruggs, Senior Pastor for the Covenant Presbyterian Church.

The family moved to Nashville from North Texas a few years ago, where Scruggs had served as an associate pastor at Park City Presbyterian Church. That congregation’s senior pastor, Mark Davis, held a service for the family this week, according to the local Fox station.

“What a joy she was to so many, how fun she was, and Lord help us to picture her where she is now,” Davis said.

The Scruggs family planned a private funeral for Hallie on Saturday at Covenant Presbyterian Church.