Nashville school shooting victims remembered as ‘loving, caring’

The principal of a Christian elementary school in Nashville who was killed in a shooting there Monday was described by friends as a smart, loving and rare female leader in a male-dominated religious culture.

“If there’s a problem at that school, they’ll run from it, not from it,” Jackie Bailey said of her friend, Katherine Koonce, principal of Covenant School. “He’s trying to protect those kids. That’s all I believe.”

Koonce was one of six people killed in the shooting in Tennessee, including three nine-year-old children identified by police as Hallie Scruggs, Evelyn Dieckhaus and William Kinney. Also killed were Cynthia Peak, 61, a substitute teacher, and Mike Hill, 61, a custodian.

Hallie Scruggs is the daughter of Chad Scruggs, lead pastor at the Covenant Presbyterian Church, according to a statement released by the Presbyterian Church in Dallas where the elder Scruggs has been an associate pastor.

“We love the Scruggs family and mourn their precious daughter Hallie,” Park Cities Presbyterian Church Senior Pastor Mark Davis said in a statement. “Together, we rely on the power of Christ to reach out and give us the comfort and hope we need.”

‘Sweet man from a sweet family’

Cynthia Peak was described as “a sweet person from a sweet family” by Chuck Owen, who told The Associated Press in a telephone interview that they grew up together in Leesville, La., and that Peak was a lifelong friend.

When he heard that Peak was killed in the shooting, “It took your breath away,” Owen said. “You didn’t expect this. It just took the wind out of me.”

Owen described Peak as “a loving, caring and attentive person.”

When Owen’s sister died, “Cindy came here as quickly as anyone,” Owen said. “He came here very quickly to mourn his sister with the rest of us. It’s a small community, a small knit group. He was once in his sister’s life and he’s been taking care of the family since his sister died. .”

Peak was also a devout Christian.

“He told me he was saved in college and God’s love changed his life,” Owen said, noting that he teaches at a Christian school.

‘Absolute dynamo’

Covenant School in Nashville has about 200 students in preschool through 6th grade, as well as about 50 staff members, according to its website.

Before Koonce took the top role with Covenant, Anna Caudill, a former art teacher, worked with him for nearly a decade at Christ Presbyterian Academy, another Christian school in the area connected to the Presbyterian congregation in America.

“She was an absolute dynamo and one of the smartest women I’ll ever know,” Caudill said, recalling how Koonce excelled at her day job while raising her children, pursuing her master’s and PhD, and writing a book.

Caudill, who grew up in many male-led Christian denominations, said Koonce had exceptional leadership skills and was the first woman in her situation to encourage her to pursue her studies and pursue her life’s goals. When Caudill launched her advocacy nonprofit for special education resources and other supports, she said Koonce was one of the first to donate.

He said Koonce loved his job at Covenant and was well-liked by his students and families.

“She’s not Wonder Woman, but I’ve never seen the two of them in the same place,” Caudill said.