Nashville police chief was 'in tears' watching kids run out of school during mass shooting

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake says he was "in tears" Monday morning watching children flee the scene of a mass shooting at an elementary school.

Three adults and three students lost their lives when a 28-year-old white shooter, a former student, opened fire at The Covenant School at 10:30 a.m. Monday. Police said they entered the school through a side entrance with two assault rifles and a handgun.

Police gave unclear information on the gender of the shooter, who police say was fatally shot by two responding officers at the school. For hours, police identified the shooter as a 28-year-old woman and eventually identified the person as Audrey Hale. Then at a late afternoon press conference, the police chief said that Hale was transgender. After the news conference, police spokesperson Don Aaron declined to elaborate on how Hale currently identified.

Three young students and three staff members were shot and killed.

"I was literally moved to tears to see children being ushered out of the building," Drake said in a news conference.

Drake said children ran to the tree line to hide. Photos sent to the FOX 17 newsroom show kids running to their parents, crying.

Officers reportedly have the shooter's address and are searching their residence to figure out a motive.

Police also said they know the ages of the children who were killed, but are waiting to release that information.