The 28-year-old transsexual shooter who shot up a Christian elementary school on Monday was ultimately put down by Nashville’s finest; however, that was not her first encounter with heroes that day. A 9-year-old girl attempted to alert teachers and other children to the threat before being cut down in the Covenant School. She is now being hailed as a hero.
Evelyn Dieckhaus, described by her family as a “shining light,” desperately tried to pull the fire alarm as the shooter stalked the halls of the Christian school, according to TheBlaze.
Clay Stauffer, senior minister of Woodmont Christian Church, which is next door to the school, told WTVF, “These are the types of situations in life where it does cause us to question and doubt our faith.
But I also tell them in these situations, as horrible as they are, I believe God shows up in the community.” Stauffer intimated that Dieckhaus made God’s presence known in her apparent love for her peers and corresponding effort to alert them to danger.
“Evelyn made an impact on this world, and she will continue to,” he said. The minister noted that while the 9-year-old’s parents, Mike and Katie Dickhaus, are devastated, “They’re being surrounded by their family and friends.”
Dieckhaus’ grieving sister, a fifth-grader set to be baptized in a few weeks, said, “I don’t want to be an only child.” “Their daughter Evelyn was a shining light and an amazing person. She was loved not only by her family, not just by her church. We’re surrounding them and picking them up — helping them move forward,” added Stauffer.
Dieckhaus and the two other 9-year-old victims were in the school’s chapel prior to the attack, learning about “life in Kenya and what it means to be a missionary.” Missionary Britney Grayson provided this instruction, having been invited to speak at chapel and visit with the students.
Grayson noted on Twitter that the victims had just learned the Swahili word “jambo” (i.e., “hello”) and “all the verses of Amazing Grace to sing for grandparents day next week.”
Grayson evidently paid no mind to leftist news-reader David Pakman’s denigration of prayer, imploring everyone to: “Please join me in praying for healing for these children. … Pray for all the little hearts that weren’t physically wounded but who will never be the same. Pray. Pray. PRAY.”
William Kinney and Hallie Scruggs were the two other children who sang “Amazing Grace” with the departed hero before being murdered. Hallie Scruggs was the daughter of the pastor of Covenant Presbyterian, which shares a location with the school.
Pastor Chad Scruggs told ABC News in a statement, “Through tears we trust that she is in the arms of Jesus, who will raise her to life once again.” William Kinney was described by a family friend, Rachael Freitas, as an “unfailingly kind” boy with an “unflappable spirit,” reported the Tennessean.
