The family of the hero schoolgirl, who was shot and killed trying to pull the fire alarm to stop a transgender shooter from opening fire on her classmates, has broken their silence.
Evelyn Dieckhaus, 9, was one of the victims shot by Audrey Hale, 28, after she opened fire at a Nashville Christian school.
The Dieckhaus Family said: “Our hearts are completely broken. We cannot believe this has happened. Evelyn was a shining light in this world. We appreciate all the love and support but ask for space as we grieve.”
Mike Hill was a custodian at the Covenant School. He was killed by Hale. Hill’s family thanked the community “for all the continued thoughts and prayers.”
“As we grieve and try to grasp any sense of understanding of why this happened, we continue to ask for support.
“We pray for the Covenant School and are so grateful that Michael was beloved by the faculty and students who filled him with joy for 14 years.”
Cynthia Peak was a substitute teacher at the Covenant School. She was killed by Hale.
Peak’s family said:
“Cindy was a pillar of the community, and a teacher beloved by all her students.
“Her favorite roles in life were being a mom to her three children, a wife to her husband, and an educator to students.
“We will never stop missing her.
“We are grateful for the hope of Heaven.
“She never wavered in her faith and we know she is wrapped in the arms of Jesus. Our hearts go out to all the victims’ families as we grieve this horrific tragedy.”
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said his wife, Maria, was “best friends” with Peak.
“Maria woke up this morning without one of her best friends, Cindy Peak,” Lee said.
“Cindy was supposed to come over to have dinner with Maria last night after she filled in as a substitute teacher yesterday at Covenant.”
Evelyn Dieckhaus tried bravely to save her classmates by pulling the fire alarm at The Covenant Elementary School in Nashville
— TheQuartering (@TheQuartering) March 28, 2023
During times like these, we hear so much about the names of the monsters who commit these heinous crimes, so let’s lift up the victims. Remember their names.
William Kinney, 9
Evelyn Dieckhaus, 9
Hallie Scruggs, 9
Katherine Koonce, 60
Cynthia Peak, 61
Mike Hill, 61 pic.twitter.com/8PtpHBmqPS— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) March 28, 2023
