On March 27th, tragedy struck The Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee, leaving three young children and three adults dead in the wake of a horrific school shooting. As the community grapples with the devastating loss, the Nashville police officers who responded to the scene share their firsthand accounts of the event, providing a glimpse into the chaos and bravery that unfolded that day.
The chilling surveillance footage from the school captures the moment the shooter arrives at approximately 9:53 a.m. Three minutes later, at 10:10 a.m., the shooter is seen entering the school through shattered glass doors, having fired shots at the entrance. A wave of fear and urgency gripped the city as the first 9-1-1 call reached dispatchers at 10:13 a.m.
Nashville police officers responding to the shooting at the Covenant School
Within minutes, the first responders arrived on the scene, among them Officer Rex Engelbert. Having been in the vicinity due to an unusual turn of events that placed him closer to the school than usual, Engelbert’s swift response proved crucial.
“I can’t count on both my hands the irregularities that put me in that position. A call for service came out for an act of deadly aggression at a school. I immediately turned on my lights and sirens,” Engelbert shared, emphasizing the urgency he felt that morning.
Upon arrival, Engelbert was met by Covenant School staff who provided him with a key to the building, allowing him and other responding officers to enter immediately.
Detective Sergeant Jeff Mathis, another first responder, recounted his arrival: “When I got out of my vehicle, I retrieved my department-issued shotgun from the back. While doing that, I overheard who I now know as Officer Rex Engelbert saying, ‘I need three. Let’s go! I need three!’ I went through that door with purpose. I knew the gravity of the situation and what had occurred based on the call text, the amount of callers. It was a serious incident.”
Together, Engelbert and Mathis, who don’t usually work together, navigated the hallways, relying heavily on their active shooter response training. Their movements were methodical as they cleared each room, their senses heightened by the echoing silence.
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Nashville police officers Rex Engelbert (left) and Michael Collazo (right) who responded to the Covenant school shooting
At the same time, Officer Michael Collazo entered the school from a different point, immediately confronted with the aftermath of the shooter’s violent entry.
“I noticed that all the glass to that door had been shot out, saw shell casings on the ground, bullet holes on the door. So I immediately made entry,” Collazo stated, highlighting the chilling scene that greeted him.
After clearing the first floor, Collazo attempted to make his way upstairs, following reports that the shooter was on the second floor. However, a locked door halted his progress, forcing him to pivot and find an alternative route.
Meanwhile, Engelbert and Mathis, having heard the unmistakable sounds of gunfire, raced towards the escalating danger.
“When I did hear the stimulus, I couldn’t get to it fast enough. I just looked for the nearest staircase I could find because I could tell it was above my head. We went through the doors. The shots continued. I couldn’t tell you how many there were, to be honest with you. We just heard the sounds. From my training experience, I knew those sounds to be rifles, uh, rifle rounds that were being fired,” Mathis revealed.
The officers’ training kicked in as they ascended to the second floor, adrenaline pumping through their veins. Despite the chaotic environment, they remained focused on neutralizing the threat and minimizing casualties.
“We kept walking toward the gun, the sound of gunfire. There was, like the sergeant said, some smoke in the air. It was uh, very, very similar to the training we receive – the stress innocuous that our training academy had exposed me to before this incident,” Engelbert described, emphasizing the crucial role their rigorous training played in those harrowing moments.
Navigating through smoke and the deafening sound of the fire alarm, the officers finally encountered the shooter, who was subsequently neutralized. The immediate threat was over.
Nashville police officers escorting children to safety from the Covenant School shooting
In the aftermath, the officers’ focus shifted to evacuating the school and ensuring the safety of the surviving students and staff. Their swift response, driven by training and an unwavering commitment to protecting the innocent, undoubtedly saved lives.
Metropolitan Nashville Police Department Chief John Drake commended the officers for their courage and quick thinking: “We have so many personnel that was running in, uh, that didn’t think about ballistic vests, they didn’t think about ballistic helmets. They just wanted to save kids.”
The Covenant School shooting serves as a stark reminder of the ever-present threat of gun violence and the importance of preparedness. The bravery and dedication displayed by the Nashville police officers that day exemplify the best of humanity in the face of unimaginable tragedy.
