NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A 9-year-old girl known for brightening up the neighborhood with her Broadway-style performances in the driveway. A school janitor who loved students as if they were her own children. And a school leader who was determined to help all children, no matter what challenges they faced.
These were some of the victims of Monday’s riot at The Covenant School in Nashville, where three students and three adults were killed.
Authorities identified the victims at the small Christian school as Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs and William Kinney, all 9 years old; school principal Katherine Koonce, 60; substitute teacher Cynthia Peak, 61; and school janitor Mike Hill, 61.
Investigators continued to investigate the motive for the shooting as details emerged about the lives it ended.
Evelyn “was everything a 9-year-old should be. She was in and out of our house regularly playing tag,” said her next-door neighbor Nick Riegal, 45, whose two sons played with her.
There were often hangman games and laughter coming from the back porch, he said. And a lot of funny moments during the day and night.
But it was the lively outdoor theatrical performances, in which Evelyn and other neighborhood kids cast a character from the Broadway hit «Hamilton,» that Riegal said she will remember most.
“They worked very hard in Hamilton,” Riegal said, adding that all the children proudly picked up 20 minutes of the popular show.
Clay Stauffer, senior minister at Woodmont Christian Church, where Evelyn’s family is a member, shared a statement on behalf of the family:
«Our hearts are completely broken,» the family said. «We can’t believe this happened. Evelyn was a shining light in this world.»
«We appreciate all the love and support, but we ask for space while we grieve,» the statement added.
Evelyn’s older sister cried at a vigil Monday night in Woodmont. She could be heard tearfully saying, «I don’t want to be an only child.» The Tennessee reported.
Located within the Covenant Presbyterian Church, The Covenant School serves children preschool through sixth grade. On Tuesday morning, a mound of teddy bears and flowers placed by mourners rested by the entrance.
Hallie, another girl who died in the shooting, was the daughter of Chad Scruggs, pastor of the Covenant Presbyterian Church.
She was the youngest and only daughter of the Scruggs’ four children, said Mark Davis, senior pastor at Park Cities Presbyterian Church, where Scruggs used to work.
“He held his own against three kids,” Davis said with a laugh. “She was always a radiant girl. And that glow, I think, was Jesus in her.»
Hill, 61, the school’s janitor, was a “sweet man” named Big Mike, according to a former Covenant pastor.
“He loved the kids at school,” Jim Bachmann said, adding that Hill was like a father figure to them. «The kids loved it too.»
Bachmann said Hill would sometimes greet church services at Stephens Valley Church in Nashville, where Bachmann is now the senior pastor.
“When he was greeting, he dressed like he was going to meet the president,” Bachmann said, adding that Hill would wear a suit and tie and his shoes shined.
Bachmann’s wife, Kristen, added that Hill would stop what he was doing and give you a hug as soon as you walked in the door.
«Because that’s how he treated everyone,» she said.
Hill’s family said in a statement that Hill was the father of seven children and had 14 grandchildren. The statement said that they «are very grateful that Michael was loved by the faculty and students who have showered him with joy for 14 years.»
Peak, the substitute teacher who was killed, graduated from Texas Christian University in 1983, a university spokesman said Tuesday. Louisiana State Representative Charles Anthony Owen grew up in Leesville, Louisiana, with Peak.
The world “misses a sweet soul who cares about people,” Owen said. “She was a devoted follower of the Lord, Jesus. She was very outgoing, but kind in her faith.”
Koonce, the Covenant school principal, was described by alumni as a champion for all children, whether they faced learning difficulties or were gifted and needed extra challenges.
Barrett Severance, 33, credited Koonce with helping him graduate from high school. He met Koonce when she worked at Christ Presbyterian Academy, a small private Christian school he attended in Nashville.
“I wasn’t a great student, so I would see Katherine before and after school and in the summers in between. She fought for her students many times after we stopped fighting for ourselves,” she said. «I definitely attribute my prom date to her not giving up on me.»
Another former student, Robert Gay, also met Koonce at Christ Presbyterian Academy, which he attended from 2000 to 2006.
“She loved the people, the students, the children and the families in a way that I would describe as ‘loving them through God’s eyes,’” he said.
In their Facebook page on Tuesday, The Covenant School said the community is «in shock at the terror that has vandalized our school and church.» Past posts show snaps of students smiling on field trips, performing in holiday plays and celebrating basketball victories.
Gay said he felt there were still lessons he could learn from Koonce as he processed the news of her death.
“I really want to learn from your spirit of serving people with kindness,” he said, “How can we respond with love and care for each member of our Nashville community? I think that’s the best way to honor his memory.»
Deon Hampton reported from Nashville and Elizabeth Chuck from New York. Marlene Lenthang, Antonio Planas and Daniella Silva in New York and Jake Lubbehusen in Washington contributed reporting.