For Immediate Release: Congressman Hunt released the following statement regarding the deadly shooting at Covenant School in Nashville, TN

Contact: Matthew Topolski 

Email: matthew.topolski@mail.house.gov 

Washington, D.C.- “On Monday, a homicidal maniac walked into the Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee and butchered six people, three were children the age of nine.  The victims were identified as Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs, William Kinney, Cynthia Peak, Katherine Koonce, and Mike Hill. 

"Emily and I offer our deepest condolences and prayers to the victims and their families.  The Bible offers us comforting words in moments of tragedy, and one that comes to mind is from the book of Psalms: The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. - Psalm 34:18

"To the families of the victims, please take comfort in knowing that God is with you and is holding you close during this time of grief. Emily and I, pray that you find peace and strength in the difficult days ahead. 

"In the moments after gunfire rang out at the Covenant School, veteran officers of the Metro Nashville Police Department acted heroically.  Their brave and selfless actions saved countless lives yesterday. 

"MNPD Officers, Rex Engelbert and Michael Collazo, rushed towards the gunfire, engaged evil and put down the active shooter.  Many children and staff at the Covenant School are alive today because of the heroism displayed by these officers. 

"Yesterday’s horrific tragedy is another illustration of why Congress must act to harden our schools and protect what is most precious to all of us, our children.  There is simply no excuse for schools across the country to be soft targets.  In the weeks ahead, I look forward to working with any member of Congress who is willing to tackle this issue head-on. 

"Let me also be very clear.  Under no circumstances should law-abiding citizens be subjected to additional restrictions of their Second Amendment rights because of the actions of a mentally ill and deranged murderer. 

"America doesn’t have a gun problem, it has a values problem, and until we address the underlining cause of this illness that has stricken the very fabric of our society, we must do the only reasonable thing we can to protect our children and that’s securing our schools,” said Hunt.   

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