More Questions Than Answers
Nashville Mourns in Shooting Aftermath
On Monday, March 27th, Audrey Hale entered Covenant Presbyterian Church’s elementary school and fatally shot six people. Per ballistic reports, Hale shot 152 rounds while in the building. The Metro Nashville Police Department confronted Hale when they arrived on the scene. She was killed during the altercation. The victims consisted of Three nine-year-old children, a custodian, a substitute teacher, and the head of the school.MPD Chief John Drake noted that three of the guns Hale possessed were legally purchased. He also that Hale’s parents said she had an emotional disorder and was not fit to own firearms. Tennessee’s current laws dictate that unless court ordered, mental illness does not disqualify someone from being able to purchase a gun.
As Nashville mourns, investigators are looking to possible motivating factors. Some believe that Hale, 28, who identified as a transgender person resented having to go to a Christian school as a child. This shooting also occurred weeks after Nashville’s legislature voted to ban gender-affirming surgery and limited drag show performances. MPD has said they believed this attack was planned for months. Hale’s manifesto has yet to be released.
Political Roundup
Trump arrives for his indictment. President Trump arrived at Trump Tower in NYC Monday on the eve of his arraignment. Trump will become the first former president to face criminal charges. He has been accused of 30 fraud-related charges including hush money payments to Stormy Daniels. This indictment is not without tragedy. While some say no president should be above the law, others fear this set a scary precedent. Trump is expected to voluntarily surrender and plead not guilty.
Disney may have had the last laugh with Desantis. Last month, Florida Governor Ron Desantis signed a bill to strip Disney of its self-governing powers. This was criticized as government retaliation for Disney’s stance on the alleged Don’t Say Gay bill. Disney however had a contingency and had an agreement in place that effectively limits what Desantis’ board can do for decades to come.
Anthony Broadwater Awarded $5.5 Million After Wrongful Rape Conviction
Anthony Broadwater spent 16 years in prison for a rape he did not commit. He was convicted of raping writer Alice Sebold (Lovely Bones) while she attended Syracuse University. The conviction was overturned in 2021.
Sebold was not sure who raped her but she did describe a Black man. Despite Sebold not being able to define Broadwater in a lineup police still proceeded to seek his conviction in 1982. Broadwater was released in 1999 but had to register as a sex offender.
Sebold has since apologized but this has highlighted the criminal justice system’s past participation in racism and discrimination. In a statement, Broadwater said “I appreciate what Attorney General James has done, and I hope and pray that others in my situation can achieve the same measure of justice. We all suffer from destroyed lives.”
Other Headlines
Meta announced they will no longer pay creators for Instagram/Facebook reels.
Elon Musk and other prominent figures sign a letter requesting the slowdown of AI technology.
Apple introduces a new product that allows users to apply for loans and setup installment payments.