Norma Hale, the mother of Nashville school shooter Audrey Hale, has requested privacy following the devastating attack on Monday. Her 28-year-old daughter tragically took the lives of six people, including three 9-year-old students.
Norma Hale, an outspoken gun control activist and devoted Christian, is struggling to come to terms with the shocking incident, stating that it is “very, very difficult” for her right now.
The motives behind the attack remain under investigation, with authorities examining the possibility of Audrey Hale’s transgender identity playing a role. While Audrey Hale’s LinkedIn profile listed “he/him” pronouns and occasionally used the male name Aiden, her mother referred to her as “daughter” during a conversation with ABC News.
Additionally, a source close to the family told the Daily Beast that Audrey Hale had autism and was high-functioning.
Friends of the family have expressed their disbelief at the tragic events. Sandy Durham, a family friend and neighbor, described Audrey Hale as “very sweet” and said she never saw any signs that would suggest she would become a school shooter. Another neighbor, identified only as Sean, echoed these sentiments, stating that the parents were likely just as shocked as everyone else in the neighborhood.
Former classmates at the Nashville School of the Arts, where Audrey Hale studied between 2011 and 2014, were equally taken aback. One friend told DailyMail.com that they initially believed it was a mistake when they heard Audrey Hale had been identified as the shooter. They said Audrey Hale “really didn’t fit the school shooter archetype” and that “no one would have seen this coming.”
The community continues to reel from the tragic events that unfolded on Monday, mourning the loss of innocent lives and seeking answers.