Current:Home > News"Heartbroken" Shawn Johnson East Shares Her Kids Were on Lockdown Due to Nashville School Shooting -AssetLink
"Heartbroken" Shawn Johnson East Shares Her Kids Were on Lockdown Due to Nashville School Shooting
SignalHub View
Date:2025-04-09 23:56:31
Shawn Johnson East provided an update on her family's safety following The Covenant School shooting.
The Olympic gymnast, who shares 3-year-old daughter Drew Hazel and 20-month-old son Jett James with husband Andrew East, said that her children's school took security measures after learning of the shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville.
"I haven't been able to catch my breath since reading the news and getting a call from our school that they were on lockdown as well given the news," Shawn wrote on her March 27 Instagram Story. "Shaking. Crying. Heartbroken. Horrific."
Shawn went on to note that her children are now back home, and that she is thinking of the lives impacted.
"I feel lucky and blessed but still so incredibly sad. No parent or family should ever have to deal with this," Shawn continued. "I've seen childrens ambulances, countless police cars, buses of children being transported to safety, parents flying down the street laying on their horns, people sprinting in and out of churches and schools looking for their kids. Today has changed me."
Shawn also shared footage of herself holding her children "when Andrew got our babies home." As seen in videos on her Instagram Story, Shawn had tears streaming down her face while holding her daughter and son. She noted, "Can't stop crying."
Per NBC News, authorities say three nine-year-old children—Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs and William Kinney—and three staff members—Cynthia Peak, 61, Katherine Koonce, 60, and Mike Hill, 61—were killed on March 27 during a shooting at The Covenant School, a private Christian school in Nashville that serves preschool students through sixth graders.
Metropolitan Nashville Police Chief John Drake said the shooter was a former student of the school, according to the outlet. Law enforcement officials said that the shooter was killed by police at the scene.
NBC News added that police spokesperson Don Aaron told reporters the attacker entered the institution through a "side entrance" on the first floor.
Shawn is not the only public figure with a residence in Nashville who spoke out on how the tragedy hits close to home. Jana Kramer, who shares children children Jolie, 7, and Jace, 4, with ex-husband Mike Caussin, took to her social media to let others know her children are safe.
"Jolie and Jace are okay. My heart is absolutely breaking for the children and families right now," Jana wrote on her March 27 Instagram Story, before writing in a follow-up Story post, "It wasn't their school. I know someone that works there though and we have friends that have kids there. We shouldn't have to fear dropping our kids of at school and fearing them not coming home."
Meanwhile, Jessie James Decker, who shares kids Vivianne, 9, Eric Jr., 7, and Forrest, 4 with husband Eric Decker shared a tearful video on the matter.
"It's not my kids' school. But it's only two miles up the road," Jessie said through tears on her IG Story. "It is just awful. I'm just heartbroken for these families. This just should not be happening. I went and picked the kids up immediately and they're home safe."
Kristin Cavallari, who is mom to kids Camden, 10, Jaxon, 8, and Saylor, 7, with ex Jay Cutler, also penned a message in reflection following the news: "Wanting to hug my babies a little bit tighter. We luckily weren't affected by this mornings shooting."
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (68393)
Related
- The Daily Money: Spending more on holiday travel?
- Michael Strahan Praises Superwoman Daughter Isabella Strahan Amid End of Chemotherapy
- Average long-term US mortgage rate falls again, easing to lowest level since early April
- Tara Lipinski Shares Silver Lining to Her Traumatizing 5-Year Fertility Journey
- Megan Fox's ex Brian Austin Green tells Machine Gun Kelly to 'grow up'
- Ozempic users are buying smaller clothing sizes. Here's how else GLP-1 drugs are changing consumers.
- Gayle King Defends Justin Timberlake Following His DWI Arrest
- Millions sweating it out as heat wave nears peak from Midwest to Maine
- Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
- U.S. soldier Gordon Black sentenced in Russia to almost 4 years on charges of theft and threats of murder
Ranking
- The FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the Capitol riot, watchdog finds
- 9-1-1 Crew Member Rico Priem's Cause of Death Revealed
- Couple arrested after leaving 2 kids in hot SUV while they shopped, police say
- Republican state lawmaker arrested in middle of night in Lansing
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hi Hi!
- Selling Sunset’s Chelsea Lazkani Reveals How She’s Navigating Divorce “Mess”
- Kane Brown and Wife Katelyn Brown Welcome Baby No. 3
- Wife of Toronto gunman says two victims allegedly defrauded family of life savings
Recommendation
Selena Gomez's "Weird Uncles" Steve Martin and Martin Short React to Her Engagement
Sherri Papini's ex-husband still dumbfounded by her kidnapping hoax: 'Driven by attention'
What Lindsay Hubbard Did With Her 3 Wedding Dresses After Carl Radke Breakup
After wildfires ravage Ruidoso, New Mexico, leaving 2 dead, floods swamp area
Hackers hit Rhode Island benefits system in major cyberattack. Personal data could be released soon
California firefighters gain on blazes but brace for troublesome hot weather
North Carolina Senate gives initial approval to legalizing medical marijuana
Katie Ledecky dominates 1,500 at Olympic trials, exactly as expected