Appeals court rules Covenant School shooting records must be released
In a landmark decision emphasizing public access to government records, the Tennessee Court of Appeals has ruled that the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (MNPD) must release documents related to the 2023 Covenant School shooting, including the writings of shooter Audrey Hale. This ruling, issued on February 4, 2026, marks a significant victory for transparency advocates, including America First Legal (AFL), which sued the department for withholding the materials under the Tennessee Public Records Act (TPRA).
The case stems from the tragic events of March 27, 2023, when Hale, a 28-year-old former student who identified as male, entered the private Christian elementary school in Nashville armed with multiple firearms. Hale fatally shot three 9-year-old students—Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs, and William Kinney—and three staff members: Cynthia Peak, Katherine Koonce, and Mike Hill. Police killed Hale at the scene after a swift response. The attack, which lasted about 14 minutes, shocked the community and sparked national debates on school safety, gun control, and the role of mental health in mass shootings.
For nearly three years, the public has been denied access to Hale’s extensive writings, which include at least 20 journals, a suicide note, a memoir, and other materials recovered by investigators. MNPD initially promised to release the documents but reversed course, citing an ongoing investigation and later relying on exemptions under the TPRA. Groups like AFL, along with media outlets such as The Tennessee Star and the Tennessee Firearms Association, filed lawsuits in 2023 demanding disclosure, arguing that the materials could shed light on Hale’s motives and prevent future tragedies.
A lower court in Davidson County, presided over by Chancellor I’Ashea L. Myles, sided against release in a 2024 ruling. Myles argued that Hale’s writings were protected by federal copyright law, as ownership had been transferred from Hale’s parents to a group of Covenant families who intervened in the case. The judge also invoked a school security exemption under Tennessee Code Annotated section 10-7-504(p), claiming the documents related to safety plans and could endanger other schools if disclosed. Covenant parents expressed concerns that publicizing the writings could traumatize survivors and inspire copycat attacks.
The appeals court unanimously overturned much of this decision, delivering a rebuke to the secrecy efforts. In its opinion, the court clarified that the Copyright Act does not preempt the TPRA for mere public inspection of records—it only restricts reproduction, distribution, or public display. “Requiring Metro to allow public inspection… would [not] violate and conflict with the exclusive federal rights granted to copyright owners,” the judges wrote, citing precedents from other states like Missouri and Pennsylvania. The panel also rejected the school security exemption, noting that it applies only to public schools under the School Security Act of 1981, not private institutions like Covenant.
Furthermore, the court dismissed the ongoing investigation argument, pointing out that MNPD had closed its probe and released a final report in April 2025. That report emphasized Hale’s desire for notoriety as the primary motive, downplaying evidence of animosity toward affluent white individuals, Christianity, or gender-related issues—despite leaked excerpts suggesting otherwise. Critics, including AFL, have argued that full disclosure is essential to understanding these factors and holding authorities accountable.
AFL President Gene Hamilton hailed the ruling as a triumph against government overreach. “This ruling is a clear rejection of Nashville’s attempt to keep the public in the dark,” Hamilton stated. “For nearly three years, government officials blocked the public from seeing records they have a right to inspect. Transparency matters. Especially when government power is used to suppress information after a tragedy.” The decision aligns with broader efforts for openness, such as U.S. Rep. John Rose’s 2025 viewing of related FBI documents, which he described as revealing Hale’s mental instability contrary to MNPD’s conclusions.
The case now returns to the trial court, where MNPD must conduct a record-by-record review, redacting only information protected under the TPRA, such as personal identifiers or sensitive victim details. Legal experts warn this process could take months, and further appeals remain possible. Nonetheless, the ruling sets a precedent that could influence how public records are handled in future high-profile cases, prioritizing the public’s right to know over blanket exemptions.
As debates continue, the release of these documents may finally provide closure and insights into one of Tennessee’s darkest days, while underscoring the tension between privacy, security, and accountability in the aftermath of tragedy.