A U.S. senator has introduced a resolution labeling the shooting at a Nashville Christian school a \u201chate crime\u201d and urging the FBI to investigate it as such.<\/p>\n
U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) sent a letter<\/a> to the FBI and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security noting that Nashville police said the shooter, Audrey Hale, had \u201ctargeted\u201d The Covenant School. Police said Hale, a biological female, identified as transgender and left a manifesto, although it has yet to be released publicly.<\/p>\n \u201cFederal law explicitly criminalizes acts of violence against individuals based on religious affiliation as hate crimes,\u201d Hawley said in the letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray and HHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.<\/p>\n Hawley quoted the hate crime statute, which says it \u201cbars \u2018willfully caus[ing] bodily injury to any person … because of the actual or perceived race, color, religion, or national origin of any person.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI urge you to immediately open an investigation into this shooting as a federal hate crime,\u201d Hawley wrote. \u201cThe full resources of the federal government must be brought to bear to determine how this crime occurred and who may have influenced the deranged shooter to carry out these horrific crimes. Hate that leads to violence must be condemned. And hate crimes must be prosecuted.\u201d<\/p>\n Hawley\u2019s resolution<\/a> honors the six individuals who were shot and killed. It also applauds the quick work of law enforcement. Further, it \u201cstrongly condemns the horrific act of violence that occurred at The Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee, on March 27, 2023, and recognizes it as a hate crime targeting Christians.\u201d<\/p>\n The resolution urges Americans to \u201cunite in the face of such hatred and violence\u201d and to \u201cstand in solidarity with those who have been affected by this tragedy.\u201d<\/p>\n The nation \u201creaffirms its commitment to uphold the values of tolerance, religious freedom, and justice for all, as enshrined in the Constitution of the United States,\u201d the resolution says.<\/p>\n Related:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n 3 Kids, 3 Adults Killed in Mass Shooting at Nashville Christian School<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Tenn. Gov. Tells Grieving State: ‘What Is Meant for Evil Can Be Turned for Good’<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n ‘Everybody Loved Mike’: Nashville Parents Raise over $540,000 for Custodian Killed in Nashville School Shooting<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n