The Tennessee Star has finally released the Covenant School shooter’s manifesto after a lengthy struggle with the FBI and local authorities. The year-long delay has raised concerns about transparency and accountability within law enforcement agencies, particularly regarding information of public interest.
Michael Patrick Leahy, CEO of the Tennessee Star, spearheaded the effort to make the manifesto public. He argued that the FBI and Metro Nashville Police Department were using the guise of an ongoing investigation to stall the release of the document. “It’s a stalling tactic,” Leahy said, adding that the authorities previously promised the investigation would conclude by June 2024.
The manifesto reveals that Audrey Hale, the Covenant School shooter, had been suffering from severe mental health issues and had been under psychiatric care for over 20 years. Hale had also been prescribed strong SSRI drugs since 2019, which Leahy believes played a significant role in her actions. He sees this as a critical piece of the puzzle in understanding mass violence.
Leahy criticized the national debate surrounding mass shootings, claiming that the focus on gun control misses the real issue. “The conversation needs to be about mental health, not weapons,” he said. He emphasized that many children and young adults are being overprescribed psychiatric drugs without proper treatment for their underlying mental health issues.
The FBI’s resistance to releasing the manifesto has drawn widespread criticism, with many questioning whether government agencies are truly committed to serving the public’s right to know.
