NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) has conducted a search at the residence of a former Nashville police lieutenant amid an inquiry into leaks related to evidence from a tragic school shooting. This revelation comes as part of a broader investigation involving leaks from the case files of the Covenant School shooting that occurred in March 2023. This incident resulted in the deaths of three children and three adults at the private Christian institution. Authorities have confirmed that the search warrant was executed on September 17, but further specifics about the investigation have not been disclosed. According to property records, the location searched belongs to former Lieutenant Garet Davidson. The TBI spokesperson, Josh DeVine, provided confirmation of the search but declined to reveal additional information regarding the investigation’s scope.
The investigation has been focusing on two instances of leaked information from the case related to the Covenant School shooting. The perpetrator, Audrey Hale, who had previously attended the school, was killed by law enforcement during the incident. Court documents indicate that Hale left behind a considerable amount of personal writings, including 20 journals, a suicide note, and an unpublished memoir. Authorities have been delving into the connections surrounding Davidson as leaks from the investigation raised concerns within the police department. While the Metro Nashville Police Department has hinted at Davidson’s potential involvement, they have refrained from formally accusing him of leaking information.
In a declaration made in June, Lt. Alfredo Arevalo from Nashville’s police force highlighted that his division was probing into the source of leaked documents. Specifically, he stated that three pages from one of Hale’s journals were shared with a conservative commentator in November 2023, leading to their posting on social media. Arevalo pointed out that Davidson had been granted access to the criminal investigative file, which was stored securely in his office, an area where he had sole access through both a key and the safe’s combination. Following these developments, Davidson has resigned from the police force.
Arevalo expressed deep disappointment regarding the leak, noting that it could cause further anguish for the families of the victims. Davidson was also noted to have discussed sensitive information from the investigation on a radio show hosted by Michael Leahy, associated with Star News Digital Media, which is pursuing legal action for access to the investigation records.
Star News Digital Media has published multiple articles based on 80 pages of Hale’s writings obtained from an undisclosed source, later claiming to have access to 90 pages of Hale’s journal entries from January to March 2023. Previously, Davidson drew attention by filing a complaint against the police department, accusing it of attempting to diminish the city’s community oversight board. Meanwhile, a judge ruled in July that the writings of the shooter were protected by copyright held by the victims’ families, a decision that is currently undergoing appeal.
The investigation has faced considerable public interest, especially given the complex narrative surrounding Hale’s identity, as it has been suggested that Hale may have identified as a transgender man. Some analysts have speculated that her writings could indicate a targeted hate crime against Christian communities. In the ongoing legal battles over public records, involved parties include media outlets, a gun rights advocacy organization, a law enforcement nonprofit, and state Senator Todd Gardenhire. Star News Digital Media has also taken legal measures against the FBI for the release of documents.
As efforts to keep the shooter’s writings sealed continue, Hale’s parents have transferred ownership of these materials to the victims’ families. They assert that any decisions regarding access to the documents should be made by the families themselves. Alongside copyright concerns, the victims’ families argue that making these documents public could induce trauma and serve as a catalyst for potential copycat incidents. Under Tennessee’s open records law, certain documents from the police investigation may eventually be disclosed after the case concludes.