USA

Josh Hawley says Nashville Christian school massacre should be investigated as ‘hate crime’

Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) has called for an investigation into the tragedy at a Nashville Christian school earlier this week, suggesting that the shooting should be looked into as a possible hate crime.

The incident occurred on Monday morning at the West End Christian School, where one student was killed and several others injured. Police have identified the suspect as a 17-year-old student at the school.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Senator Hawley said, “This tragedy is a heartbreaking reminder that hate and violence have no place in our society. It’s unacceptable that this attack was directed against a school with a Christian mission, and I am calling on the Nashville Police Department to investigate this attack as a potential hate crime.”

He went on to say, “No student should ever have to worry about their safety in a place of learning. We must do all we can to ensure that our schools are safe and secure for all students, regardless of their faith or background.”

The Nashville Police Department has yet to officially declare the shooting as a hate crime, however, they are continuing to investigate.

The tragedy at West End Christian School has sparked an outpouring of support from both Republicans and Democrats. President Trump tweeted on Tuesday evening, “My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. We must do all we can to protect our children and prevent such tragedies from happening again.”

Senator Hawley’s call for an investigation into the shooting as a potential hate crime is just the latest example of the growing bipartisan effort to address the issue of gun violence and school safety.