Nashville school shooting: What we know about killer Audrey Hale

The attacker who killed six people at a Nashville school had reportedly warned a friend that something bad was about to happen minutes before the massacre.

Audrey Hale, who identified as a transgender man and was a former student at the private Christian school in Tennessee, was shot dead by police after the killing spree.

Averianna Patton said the 28-year-old sent her Instagram messages in which they talked about not wanting to live anymore and said that their family did not know what they were about to do.

In the first message, Hale signed it as "Audrey (Aiden)."

Ms Patton said she saw the messages at 9.57am (3.57pm UK time) on Monday, less than 20 minutes before police said they were told about an attack at the Covenant School.

Ms Patton tried to be supportive, according to screenshots of the social media conversation.

In their last message, Hale said that something bad was about to happen and asked for forgiveness.

Ms Patton was a former basketball team-mate of Hale's at Isaiah T Creswell Middle School. Ms Patton said the messages were alarming and called a suicide prevention hotline but it was too late to stop Hale killing three students aged nine and three adults, including the headteacher.

"I'm trying to still understand... Just to learn that I received a message before, it's just like, wow," Ms Patton told NBC News. "Just pray, just pray."

Hale was receiving care from doctor for 'emotional disorder'

Hale was under a doctor's care for an undisclosed emotional disorder at the time of the shooting spree.

Police said the assailant did not target specific victims and was not on their radar before the attack.

Hale, who had no criminal history and lived with their parents in Nashville, was armed with two "assault-style" rifles and a pistol.

Hale had bought seven weapons legally from five different stores, including the three weapons used in the massacre.

Police chief John Drake said officers are reviewing a manifesto and writings from the assailant whom they called a "lone zealot".

Did Hale plan other attacks?

Mr Drake said the manifesto indicated Hale planned to carry out additional shootings at other locations.

Police revealed Hale had drawn a detailed map of the school, which included potential entry points and had planned surveillance before killing their victims.

Officers received reports of the attack at 10.13am (4.13pm UK time) on Monday.

In response to the shootings, two officers opened fire and fatally shot Hale at 10.27am (4.27pm).

The killer had entered the building by shooting through glass doors before carrying out the attacks.

Read more:
Video of Nashville school killer entering building
Why Nashville tragedy could have been even worse
First pictures emerge of victims

In a video released by police, Hale wore a black vest over a white T-shirt, camouflage trousers and a backwards red baseball cap as they roamed the school premises with the rifle brandished.

Bodycam footage of the moment Hale was killed has been released.

Mr Drake said: "We have a manifesto, we have some writings that we're going over that pertain to this date, the actual incident. We have a map drawn out of how this was all going to take place."

Mr Drake told NBC News that investigators believed the shooting stemmed from "some resentment" Hale harboured "for having to go to that school" when they were younger.

However, no definitive motive has yet been given for Hale's actions.