I know the media is all over this. I know that this is all that’s basically being reported and understandably so. This was a very tragic event. We need to take the time to learn why this happened and what can be done to prevent it from happening again.

Audrey Hale, the 28-year-old transgender school shooter, sent one final message to her friend Averianna Patton on Instagram shortly before the events of Monday morning took place. The horrific incident occurred at The Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee, where Hale opened fire and killed three nine-year-old students and three adults. The tragedy was only stopped by the intervention of law enforcement officers who ended up fatally shooting Hale inside of the building. These brave men were vigilant and ended the threat as quickly as they could without regard of their own lives. They are heroes.

Hale and Patton had known each other since middle school when they played basketball together – their friendship having endured over the years until this fateful day. Now, their last exchange of messages has given insight into what had been going through Hale’s thoughts prior to her actions.

The messages indicated that Hale had been planning something that day, although it was unclear exactly what was going through her mind before she eventually decided to carry out this tragic act of violence. It appeared that no one knew what she was planning until it was too late when her intentions became clear once the gunfire began.

Here is what the shooter said to her friend and former basketball teammate shortly before wrecking the lives of hundreds or possibly thousands of people Monday:

BREAKING: Disturbing new text messages reveal the state of mind of the #Nashvilleshooter Audrey “Aiden” Hale the day of the Nashville School Massacre.
Watch newly released footage here. https://t.co/jAVWYyOSMf pic.twitter.com/IbRc7OkxwE

— RebelwithoutaReason (@RebelwoaReason) March 28, 2023

Police did share the text messages, though. Audrey Hale's friend made a mistake not calling 911, and instead called the non-emergency number in Nashville. Lesson learned.

If get a suicide text like this from a friend, call 911: pic.twitter.com/84kzAsSMrX

— Romulus (@SueRomulus) March 28, 2023

The impact of this tragedy is undeniable. An entire community has been changed forever as they try to process their feelings and come to terms with what happened. People around the country have joined in mourning those who were lost and offering support for those affected by this terrible event.