Dr Katherine Koonce, the principal killed in the school shooting in Nashville on March 27, ran towards the perpetrator in an effort to protect her kids, according to heartbreaking reports.
As per the Daily Mirror, Koonce, 60, was shot dead inside a corridor at The Covenant School after confronting the school shooter having heard the first shot while on a Zoom call.
A total of six people were killed in Monday’s attack, including a custodian, a substitute teacher, and three children all aged nine.
Yet if a former FBI operative is to be believed, that toll could have been far higher were it not for the proactive thinking of Dr. Katherine Koonce.
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The US yet again finds itself in shock after the latest school shooting to take place in the country. As per reports, a 28-year-old former student entered the grounds of The Covenant School at 10:13am on Monday after blasting through a locked glass door at the entrance to the building.
The shooter began prowling the corridors of the school looking for victims and and the alarm was raised soon after.
Among the employees in the school was 60-year-old Dr. Katherine Koonce, who was reportedly in the middle of a Zoom call when the first shot rang out. She is said to have quickly ended the call and headed off towards the shooter.
Former FBI agent and Nashville City Council member Russ Pulley confirmed that Koonce had risked her own life in an effort to save the children in her school.
“It is my understanding from a witness at the school, that Katherine Koonce was on a Zoom call when she heard the first shot,” said Pulley.
“She immediately ended the call, got up, and headed straight for the shooter.
“She did what principals and headmasters do; she protected her children.
“In addition, she prepared the school by seeking advanced level active shooter training and from witnesses at the scene, this protocol, details of which I cannot provide, saved countless lives.”
John Drake, Chief of Nashville Police, added that he had no doubt the principal had actively moved towards the danger instead of seeking cover from it.
“There was a confrontation, I’m sure – you can tell the way she was lying in the hallway,” Drake said.
As per the Mirror, the 28-year-old suspect had written a manifesto ahead of the attack, as well as conducted surveillance of the school. He had also drawn a detailed map of the facility, including potential entry and exit points.
He was shot dead by police.
My heart bleeds for the victims’ families. When are we going to get a grip on things like this? It’s simply heartbreaking.
Rest in peace, Dr Katherine Koonce and the other souls who lost their lives at The Covenant School.
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