🚨 The Moment Everything Changed
On a quiet Monday morning in March 2023, Metro Nashville Police Department officers arrived at The Covenant School after reports of an active shooter. Within minutes, they were inside — weapons drawn, hearts pounding, moving room to room as alarms blared.
The footage, taken from Officer Rex Engelbert’s body camera, captures the urgency and chaos. You see Engelbert grabbing his rifle from his car, meeting frantic staff outside, and charging through hallways alongside fellow officers. Every second counts — and it shows.
🕰 A Timeline of Unthinkable Tragedy
At around 10:09 a.m., the attacker shot through the glass doors to gain entry. By 10:13, desperate 911 calls flooded dispatch. Within just over ten minutes, the first units were on-site — and by 10:24 a.m., the shooter was down.
Three nine-year-old children and three adults tragically lost their lives. The gunman fired more than 150 rounds before being stopped.
💥 The Police Response
The officers’ actions have been praised across the U.S. for their speed and precision. There was no hesitation — no waiting outside. They pushed straight in, clearing rooms, calling out directions, and coordinating with each other through the chaos.
Engelbert and fellow officer Michael Collazo were the ones who ultimately confronted and neutralized the shooter. Their calm under unimaginable pressure has since been hailed as textbook active-shooter response.
💔 A Community Still Healing
For Nashville, the Covenant tragedy cut deep. It’s a school, a church, and a family — and the wounds still run raw. But amid the heartbreak, many have pointed to the officers’ swift action as a rare light in one of the city’s darkest moments.
The footage isn’t easy to watch — but it serves as a powerful reminder of the bravery it takes to run toward danger when everyone else is running away.
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