Gunwoman who killed six in Nashville school shooting 'was former student'

A gunwoman wielding two rifles and a pistol, who killed three children and three adults in a shooting at a US primary school, may have been a former pupil.

The suspect died after being shot by police following the violence at a private Christian school in Nashville, Tennessee, on Monday.

It was not clear whether anyone else was wounded in the attack at The Covenant School, a Presbyterian school for about 200 pupils.

All three children had gunshot wounds and were pronounced dead on arrival at the Monroe Carell Junior Children’s Hospital, officials confirmed.

Police said the gunwoman was 28 and from Nashville, after initially saying she appeared to be in her teens.

She is believed to have been a former pupil at the school.

The killings come as communities around the country reel from a spate of school violence, including the massacre at a primary school in Uvalde, Texas, last year; a pupil who shot his teacher in Virginia; and a shooting last week in Denver that wounded two administrators.

President Joe Biden called on Congress again to pass his assault weapons ban in the wake of the latest shooting.

“It’s heart breaking, a family’s worst nightmare,” he said.

First lady Jill Biden said: “I am truly without words, and our children deserve better. We stand, all of us, we stand with Nashville in prayer.”

Nashville mayor John Cooper tweeted: “In a tragic morning, Nashville joined the dreaded, long list of communities to experience a school shooting.

“My heart goes out to the families of the victims. Our entire city stands with you.

“As facts continue to emerge, I thank our first responders and medical professionals.”