Current:Home > Markets"Heartbroken" Shawn Johnson East Shares Her Kids Were on Lockdown Due to Nashville School Shooting -TrueNorth Capital Hub
"Heartbroken" Shawn Johnson East Shares Her Kids Were on Lockdown Due to Nashville School Shooting
View
Date:2025-04-14 02:51:32
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! (2)
Related
- Military service academies see drop in reported sexual assaults after alarming surge
- Damages to college athletes to range from a few dollars to more than a million under settlement
- Elon Musk’s Ex Grimes Shares Support for His Daughter Vivian After Comments on Gender Identity
- Deadpool & Wolverine Seemingly Pokes Fun at Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck's Divorce
- $73.5M beach replenishment project starts in January at Jersey Shore
- US national parks have a troubling history. A new project aims to do better.
- The next political powder keg? Feds reveal plan for security at DNC in Chicago
- Prince Harry 'won't bring my wife back' to the UK over safety concerns due to tabloids
- Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
- The Boyz' tour diary on second US tour, performing: 'It feels like a dream'
Ranking
- Civic engagement nonprofits say democracy needs support in between big elections. Do funders agree?
- Fostering a kitten? A Californian university wants to hear from you
- Stock market today: Asian shares mostly advance after Wall St comeback from worst loss since 2022
- Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's Daughter Shiloh Is Dedicated to Pursuing Dancing
- The FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the Capitol riot, watchdog finds
- Arkansas standoff ends with suspect dead after exchange of gunfire with law enforcement
- Hurricane Beryl death toll in Texas climbs to at least 36: Reports
- A 15-year-old sentenced to state facility for youths for role in Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl rally
Recommendation
Skins Game to make return to Thanksgiving week with a modern look
Texas woman’s lawsuit after being jailed on murder charge over abortion can proceed, judge rules
Nebraska’s EV conundrum: Charging options can get you places, but future will require growth
Leanne Wong's Olympic Journey: Essential Tips, Must-Haves, and Simone Biles’ Advice
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
Two former FBI officials settle lawsuits with Justice Department over leaked text messages
What to know about NBC's Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony plans and how to watch
Former Chiefs lineman Isaiah Buggs sentenced to hard labor in Alabama on animal cruelty charges