A schoolgirl who was shot dead while trying to pull the fire alarm to prevent a transgender gunman from opening fire on her classmates has been photographed for the first time.
Evelyn Dieckhaus, 9, was one of the victims shot by Audrey Hale, 28, after she opened fire at the private Christian school on Monday.
Her family described her as a “shining light” and said they are “completely devastated” by her death.
They added that she had been desperately trying to pull the fire alarm to get help when the shooting took place on Monday.
Tributes have poured in for a second victim, Will Kinney, who was shot dead along with Hallie Scruggs, both aged 9, in the massacre.
His family called him “unfailingly kind” and “always inclusive of others”, as well as praising him for loving his two younger sisters.
Evelyn Dieckhaus, 9, was one of the victims shot by transgender gunman Audrey Hale, 28, after he opened fire at the private Christian school on Monday.
Tributes have poured in for a second victim, Will Kinney, (pictured), who was shot dead along with Hallie Scruggs, both aged 9, in the massacre.
TO GoFundMe created by a family friend of the Kinneys said: Will had an imperturbable spirit. He was unfailingly kind, gentle when the situation called for it, quick to laugh, and always inclusive of others.
“He loved his sisters, he adored his parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and he was always excited to welcome friends of all ages.
“Sweet Will knew no strangers, and our hearts break for his family as they try to find their way forward.”
Principal Dr. Katherine Koonce, 60, substitute teacher Cynthia Peak, 61, and chef Mike Hill, 61, also died in the mass shooting.
Mike’s daughter, who had worked at the school for more than a decade, said she “never thought” he would be killed in a mass shooting.
Brittany Hill posted online saying: “I have seen school shootings over the years and never thought I would lose a loved one to someone trying to solve a temporary problem with a permanent solution.”
‘I won’t say his name because I won’t glorify his actions. I wish the media wouldn’t say his name anymore.
“I am so sorry for the loss of those children to see their names not safely mentioned was devastating as the Chaplin told me, my siblings and my family this terrible news.”
Hallie Scruggs, 9, was killed in the shooting and is pictured with her father, a church pastor, Chad Scruggs.
Katherine Koonce, the school’s principal (left), and Cynthia Peak, a substitute teacher (right) were among those shot to death by Audrey Hale.
The daughter of Mike Hill (pictured), who had worked at the school for more than a decade, said she “never thought” he would be killed in a mass shooting.
His niece added that three other family members also worked at the school at the time of the shooting, but were not harmed.
Hale used the names Audrey and Aiden, but her preferred pronouns were he/he, according to a LinkedIn page.
Police confirmed Tuesday that she had previously attended school in Nashville, Tennessee, but the motive for the shooting was unclear.
Police Chief John Drake added that Hale was suffering from an “emotional disorder” at the time of the shooting.
Hale has been described as having “high-functioning” autism, but police revealed today that he was also under doctors’ care.
Hale was born female, but had recently begun using he/he pronouns and the name ‘Aiden’
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department Monday night revealed that officers Rex Engelbart (pictured left) and Michael Collazo (pictured right) were members of the team that shot Hale and ultimately killed her.
Her parents, Norma and Ronald Hale, knew she had a gun at one point, but told her to sell it because they thought she couldn’t be trusted.
Instead, he hid his arsenal and expanded it, buying seven different weapons in all from five local stores.
Chief Drake added: “The police knew nothing about the treatment, and clearly she shouldn’t have any weapons.”
Authorities also confirmed that Hale’s mother, Norma, had asked her what was in a red backpack she was carrying the morning of the murders, but she dismissed her question.
Yesterday, he brought three of his weapons to The Covenant School: two rifles and a pistol.
Two more guns were seen being taken out of the house yesterday in video obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com.
Police Chief Drake said of her family, “They felt that she had a gun and that she had sold it.” She was under doctors care for an emotional disorder.
“Her parents felt that she shouldn’t have guns, and they were under the impression that she no longer had any. But she had been hiding several inside the house.
Hale was born female, but had recently begun using he/he pronouns and the name ‘Aiden’
In addition to the guns found at her home, police recovered these three guns from the scene, confirming that she had purchased seven legally.