Church Moves To Block Manifesto’s Release to Public

(NewsReady.com) – The Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee, became the site of a mass shooting in late March. A former student walked into the school and opened fire, killing six people, including three 9-year-olds. A church is now suing to prevent the release of the alleged killer’s manifesto.

On Friday, May 12, the Covenant Presbyterian Church and The Covenant School filed motions to prevent the release of the documents to the press. Pressure has been mounting on officials for months to allow the public to view Audrey Hale’s — a transgender male who went by Aiden Hale — manifesto. Originally, the media was told officials would release it after the FBI finished reviewing it, but nearly two months later, its contents remain a mystery.

In its motion, the church argued the manifesto contains confidential information about employees and the schematics of the building. That could “impair or impede [the church’s] ability to protect its interests and the privacy of its employees.”

Covenant School has filed a motion to block the release of trans shooter Audrey Hale's manifestohttps://t.co/02QAAI8sbK

— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) May 17, 2023

The National Police Association (NPA), one of the organizations suing for the release of the manifesto, has said it doesn’t object to keeping the floor plans of the school and facility information private.

Judicial Watch, a Conservative watchdog, is also suing for the release of the alleged killer’s manifesto.

Judicial Watch announced a public records lawsuit for records about the March 27, 2023, shooting at The Covenant School in Tennessee, including the reported “manifesto” written by the female shooting suspect. READ: https://t.co/pyZx1rKHtO

— Judicial Watch ⚖️ (@JudicialWatch) May 17, 2023

According to a press release, Judicial Watch filed its lawsuit on behalf of the Tennessee Firearms Association, Inc. and retired Hamilton County Sheriff James Hammond. The suit is asking for the release of all documents in the case, including bodycam footage, photographs, evidence invoices, and other paperwork. Additionally, it wants all of the investigative reports, police communications, Department of Justice communications about the shooting being possibly labeled a “hate crime,” and all intelligence reports.

Judicial Watch cited the Tennessee Public Records Act, which states “all state, county and municipal records” should be available for “inspection by any citizen of [the] state.”