On Monday, March 27, the mass school shooting in Nashville sparked many questions and brought heartbreak to many. Police identified the assailant, Audrey Hale, who began shooting at the Covenant School in Green Hills, killing three 9-year-olds and three adults. Many are still investigating the motive that Audrey Hale had. While the information and details about this incident are continuing to unfold, it is important to keep in mind the general overview of the event.

Who was the assailant?

Audrey Hale was a 28-year-old who identified as female and attended the Covenant School as a youth. According to Chief John Drake of the MNPD, he and other officials think Hale speculated that being transgender might may play a role in the shooting.

The police released evidence that Hale had a map of the school, which included details of access points that Hale would use to enter the school. While there was no exact proof of Hale searching for specific victims, the school, which is also a church building, was targeted by the shooter according to Don Aaron, a police spokesperson. Many questioned if Hale’s reasoning to cause such devastation was because of religious reasons, but, again, this is all speculation. What now?

Now, Mike Hill (61), Katherine Koonce (60), Cynthia Peak (61), Hallie Scruggs (9), Evelyn Dieckhaus (9), and William Kinney (9) have passed away because of the horrible actions of Audrey Hale. While all six people rest in peace, they have made an impact on those who knew them. With a vigil held at Nashville’s Public Square Park and a protest (with many more to come) being held downtown on the grounds of the capital, thousands showed their solidarity with the Covenant School and the stand victims. Both protests sought to end gun violence.

What is the solution? When will it end?

After all of these continuous school shootings, and shootings in general, how many more lives have to be taken to make a change? Layla Johnson, a senior at Hillsboro High, attended the recent Nashville protests and expresses her thoughts and feelings about the major problem America is facing today. Layla was asked, “How did you feel during the lockdown the day of the shooting? Sad, empathetic, worried?” She replied, “I felt a little bit of all those things, but mostly shocked because school shootings rarely happen in Nashville for as long as I’ve been here… I was also scared because it was only half a mile away from us.” Johnson was also asked, “What message do you have for our government and Bill Lee about the major lack of the solution and gun laws in general, or do you have a solution?” She states, “I feel like no one has a solution because, you know, things like this take time, but also, since gun violence is the number one cause of death in teens and children today, I feel like it should be their top priority, unlike things such as drag shows, banning books, and traffic laws… we’ve held out on things way too long, and I feel like they need to get their priorities straight and put a stop on gun violence.”

Gen Z has and is making a huge impact on this world today. This generation is carving a pathway for many generations after us, by showing how to stand up for what one believes in, and speaking up for what’s right, the peaceful way. When Layla was asked what ideas she could give to our society to make small changes to end gun violence, she states, “I would keep doing what we’re doing, like the protests… I feel like we need to keep voicing our opinion, be peaceful and civil, because that’s the only way things are going to change… keep going to the legislative meetings and vote…get the right people in office.”

It is devastating that students can say they’ve heard of school shootings while in school. While in high school, Layla claims that she’s heard of at least six or seven school shootings, just this year. “While I was in school, this year I want to say about six or seven, but overall, it would probably be like around like 15 or 20.” No one should ever have to say this, and many still don’t understand why students, teachers, and other staff would feel scared or uncomfortable to be in school buildings. School should be a safe environment, but because of the laws that have been passed regarding guns, no one can feel safe anymore. Change needs to be made.

What you can do.

As a person who supports keeping children and adults safe, you can attend protests, sign petitions, educate yourself, and more. On Thursday, April 6, at 8:15 AM, a student rally in Nashville will be held at the State Capitol to honor the victims of the Covenant shooting. If you choose to go, wear red and black to show your support. Your voice deserves to be heard.