A lot of people were tormented and tortured in school. I wore a monstrosity called a Milwaukee brace due to scoliosis, and for the 4 years I wore that, I was laughed at, tripped, books knocked out of my hands, and emotionally tortured. Back then, the braces were very heavy, and it made getting down on the floor to pick something up difficult and getting back up slow, painful and awkward, all while people laughed at me, called me names, and said nobody would ever want me. And this was daily, and not one teacher ever said, “stop.” There were multiple times I wanted to die rather than go to school one more day. But I held on, and I became a nurse, because I knew what it was like to need help and not get it. Survival is the best revenge, not shooting innocent 8 year olds who don’t even know who you are. Audrey Hale was a coward and a murderer. Nothing else she was, no diagnosis she had could ever make what she did okay.

I’m a gay guy and although most people in 2023 don’t care, I have been the object of abuse. I’ve been the subject of jokes, lectures, derogatory language, and (from my mom) some well meaning but really intrusive questions. And that makes me like everyone else on the planet. Who hasn’t been the subject of abuse? We don’t get to kill kids because our feelings have been hurt.

Don't tell me that she did this because someone didn't allow her to "be who she was", she was 28 years old, had an education and a career. She could live alone and live how she liked. This was a hate crime that targeted children and elderly people.

If she wanted to commit suicide, she should have just done it, she didn’t need to kill others & she didn’t need to commit suicide by police, thus probably causing them trauma too. Too many crazies today who think their feelings & their rights are more important than anyone else’s, like they are the only people who ever had anything bad happen to them.

Agree wholeheartedly. No amount of personal pain can justify a person wanting to kill children and other defenseless people, and inflict so much pain on the family and friends of the deceased. This is someone who simply doesn't care about others and can't see other people's pain, and who needed to go out in a big way because she had not otherwise "left her mark on society" before she left.

You're spot on, Dr Grande. If we are to look at all people equally, this person's background doesn't matter... they killed innocent children. No one can rationalize that away.

I was bullied so bad that I wanted to take my own life by age 12. I'm also on the spectrum. But I never wanted to ruin lives for a bunch of innocent people because of my issues. I mean if you feel you need to go then do what you need to do without hurting people. All she did was prove to bullies that she was a bad person.

I was bullied in school, especially junior high, I had no friends, felt so lonely, and other kids could be so cruel. I had thoughts about ways I could physically harm my tormentors but didn't act on it.

I'm both trans and have struggled with mental health my whole life. But the idea of hurting innocent children has been horrible to me even at my darkest times! There is no excuse.

I don't know how anyone can defend the actions of the shooter. Regardless of religion, sexuality or anything else. Saying it's the victim's fault is total lunacy. Sadly, it's the world we live in now and it's truly unnerving. Great video as always Dr. Grande.

Why do people keep saying Christianity doesn’t accept trans … what religion does ? why do Christians get all the blame. If she was born into a Muslim family they would have embraced her being trans ?? Maybe if she was born Orthodox Jew she would be really accepted

It's horrifying how people have either been totally silent about the killer, or attempt to pain her as a victim of oppression. You are a Light in the darkness by speaking rationally and honestly about this tragedy

I have no words. Why go after little kids and innocent people if you want to die? Glad the cops stopped her.

The police did a great job. They didn't hesitate one bit. They are real heroes.

The fact that the manifesto has not yet been released further strengthens my belief that it was a hate crime.

I agree with you completely. Sadistic killer is what she is. The amount of pain she has caused on people who had nothing to do with her own personal trauma is insane. I don’t think any of her victims family will ever comprehend

I have ASD, and this is absolutely frightening to me. It’s implying that people with Autism are ticking time bombs who want to hurt people, and that just simply want to hurt innocent people. I was bullied in school, but I never would go back and hurt innocent people, especially children, and could never fathom hurting a child, her victims didn’t even know how her, much less bully her

She was a fully developed adult, she was analysing the building and wearing a suspender vest (potentially for further ammo), she preplanned this extensively. I was bullied all through a religious highschool but I don't want to go harm others, she is fully responsible and in no way a victim in this situation she caused. Edited to change the suspender from previously stating bulletproof vest as I was wrong. I also want to point out I feel there needs further guidance and support for mental health in schools and restriction on gun laws in America, I state this in below comments. Also, thanks for the likes and comments for interesting discussions!

She committed a hate crime

Bullies had been around in schools forever more. Even the teachers are afraid of them. I am 73 years old, I was bullied because I was skinny, and was also the smartest child in the whole school. One day I got tired of being called all kinds of names, and I confronted one the worst bullied. I had one of those old, long rulers in my hand, I waited until he was by himself, and hit him so hard calling out loud all the awful names he called me. From that day on, No One ever called me names. I endured abuse for a long time, due to jealousy against me. I don't condone this behavior, but you have to stand up before those deranged kids in school. This young woman, was getting ready to kill, and destroy innocent children, instead of seeking help for the hatred she was caring inside. There is No excuse for what she did. I feel very sad for the parents pain and suffering they're going through, including the Mother of this young woman who made a choice to take other's lives. She hated Church, God only knows why, and she became a criminal, for so she planned.😢😢

Bravo to you for telling the truth. We need to vilify these murderers; not excuse their reprehensible behavior.

Two things I noticed in the video of Audrey's attack on the school. First, the increasing militarization of these shooters, wearing camouflage clothing, load bearing vests and large numbers of weapons. Second the calm way in which she walks along the corridor, weapon at the ready, seemingly unconcerned with the sound of alarms and people screaming in nearby offices. But I agree with your analysis, she was nothing more than a cold blooded, sadistic killer.

Another detail if she was under transgender therapy in my opinion treatment for women it is testosterone, which producer anger and strenth in women.

No matter what you went through in life, there is no justification to take innocent 9 year olds to the grave with you.

Reading that statement from the "Trans Resistance Network" was genuinely sickening. Two sentences about the victims, then paragraphs of justifying the actions of the killer, and then saying the six murder victims and the fact that the murder was "driven" to do this were equal tragedies… just utterly unbelievable, and unforgivable.

You’re right Dr. Grande. It’s disgusting that anyone could try to justify someone murdering innocent children. There’s nothing that could make that okay. The shooter is a sadistic person no matter their “reasons”. Families are devastated and the children that survived will never be the same. School is a place children and teens spend so much time and they deserve to feel safe. But someone wants to die and makes everyone else to go down with them too. Things are beyond out of control.

The ENDING. THANK YOU FINALLY SOMEONE SAID IT. I keep seeing these videos people supporting her and it’s unreal. Regardless of her hurts she hurts so many innocent people and children

Exactly. Everyone has bad experiences in their life. But most individuals do not use their bad experiences as a pathetic excuse to kill people.

I am 44 and have dysthymia / Asperger’s Syndrome (Asd). I was high functioning enough over 15 years ago to be an OTR trucker for 5 years. I desperately need supportive services, but because I don’t have Medicaid; I get denied everywhere. It’s not a gun control problem, it’s a mental health problem. The mental health system in this country needs looked at!!

Another case of someone's feelings and emotions being more important than others. The fact she said it will make more sense indicates how self-centered she is. As though she's some sort of martyr.

Time for an update. Also, the entire writings will show a fuller picture. The leak was cherry-picked. There’s a Perry connection, if not directly then indirectly. She had to have known the victim. Probably had thoughts on the cover up. There’s a reason the church wants these writings suppressed.

Audrey's statements such as 'this will make more sense later' are further indication that she had ideological inspiration for what she did and that what she did is therefore a hate crime and a genocidal act.

Glad police took care of the problem quickly. We won't have to endure years of courtroom drama.

I just can not understand how anyone could harm a child. I just can't get my head around it.

You have any examples of people on the left calling her actions Heroic? Sounds like Bullshir.

Dr. Grande, perhaps you want to provide an update now that a few journal entries were leaked? Personally, several things strike me about those entries: 1. They read like the diary of an edgy tween girl that ships the Columbine shooters in her fan fictions, not a 27 years old woman who wants to be a man. If a recall correctly, she even allotted 2 hours to spend with her stuffed animals in her detailed plan for the day, indicating a very child-like mentality. 2. She has been planning this for WAY longer than we thought, considering she mentions almost got caught in the summer of 2021. This and the fact that 7 Nashville PD officers were put on leave in response to the leaks indicates that she may have been known to the authorities and part of the motive behind suppressing the release of the manifesto is to avoid exposing a major failure on the police’s part. 3. At least part of the motive was to lash out against white people and others she deemed “privileged.” Considering she herself is white, this May indicate a deep self-loathing.

Such a powerful message you put forth, Dr. Grande! ♡♡ When you said, "Yet she was the one who carried out the attack. This was a choice she made. She decided to be a killer." You were so right when you said that her behavior can not be justified! It's absolutely monstrous what she did!!

It’s insane that anybody would try to justify her actions…

As a preschool teacher and mother and bullied as a kid. It is hard enough to just get threw 12 grades without being picked on for the most ridiculous things, my hair, my glasses, my braces, my clothes you name it. I agree with being who you are but as an adult, they could've been whomever they wanted! There is no excuse and no one was holding them back just the dwellings of the past. I just held my 2 and 3 year olds and I'm very sad to say we have implemented even more security, plans, and drills that is heartbreaking for me to do because of this. Inexcusable isn't even the start of it

Many people need to live their lives in mental institutions. I wish that these institutions were still available to protect the public and people like this woman 😢

I keep hearing she resented being forced to attend the school...but if she was 28, it was 16 or more years ago...that's a long time to hold on to resentment.

The meticulous planning for this vile crime puts a pit in my stomach. Also a lot of people have religious trauma & don’t go on a killing spree. They get a therapist.

Such despair is unfathomable.... obviously she needed help.... but why kill others??? What a sad, sad story.... After my husband died, finding a reason to go on was essential. I focused on our dog... who would take care of her?? Who would be there for her if I wasn't there?? Basically, she became my reason to go on. Also, I didn't want to fall apart... I wanted my wonderful husband to be proud of me.... So, 34 years later, I'm still making the most of the life that has been given to me... I treasure every moment 💖 and the wonderful people in my life. Guess it's all about perspective!! :)

I am a leftist and I haven’t seen anyone saying what she did was justified or blaming the victims. I’d love to know who was doing that, because I’d like to criticize that, too. I always wonder after the fact, when people say they want to die and end up committing homicide, why they insist on taking others out with them. 😢

After watching and reading coverage of this event since it happened, I greatly appreciate the fact that you aren't jumping on the "sympathy for a murderer" bandwagon. You've made the most sensible analysis so far, in my opinion.

I totally agree with you Dr. Their is no excuse for killing innocent people, especially, children. That’s a whole other kind of evil to do that!

Im a person who sides with the right. I was a staunch leftist through my entire 20s. (Still have zero plastic in my bathroom and almost eliminated all plastic is my kitchen utensils. I drive a four cylinder tiny kia, while alot of my extreme leftist acquaintances drive luxury v6 turbo Subarus and preach environmentalism) But I just want to thank you for being morally non bias. Both sides of American culture need to understand that it's never okay to side with evil. NEVER

This girl had a girlfriend. This is not a trans person, this is a lesbian. My sister is gay and this gal looks like any number of her friends. Are we supposed to believe that any girl who dresses and acts masculine is a trans person now?

Not everyone who has autism does this. I have autism and would never do anything like this. The killer was just evil, killing children and innocent people.

I have yet to see anyone defend her. Even people who I’d consider to be VERY pro-transgenderism. Idk who this “extreme left” you’re talking about resides, but I haven’t found it.

Many people grow up with bullying and unbelievable trauma in their lives. My family was completely dysfunctional. I witnessed and experienced horrible violence, was bullied relentlessly all throughout school, not to mention well into my adult life and severely traumatized. It's an unfortunate fact of life. One learns to deal with it, getting help from professionals and channelling all of that negativity into something positive. The process makes one a stronger and more compassionate person. It does not justify becoming a "sadistic" calculating murderer. Thank you Dr. Grande for your perceptive and articulate analysis.

Thank you Dr. Grande for calling this horrible incident exactly what it was. Audrey must have been a complete sadistic narcissist. There is no way to justify what she did. There are too many people going way out of their way to defend her. In this sick society, with so many people living in denial and alternate realities, I fear that tragedies like this will only become more commonplace. It's good to hear an intelligent professional like yourself call it what it sadly is. Another cold blooded mass murder of innocent adults and children, committed by a cold blooded creep with a warped sense of reality.

There is no excuse for killing innocent children, such a selfish act of violence. TY Dr Grande for your insights. As always, you do an excellent job explaining the unexplainable to us.

There is no true ally in someone who says that what Audrey did was right. I'm a queer person who has faced every bit of discrimination that Audrey did, and no amount of torment makes killing innocents justifiably. She isn't a victim, she's a monster, the victims are the people she gunned down, the victims are the people in the community who she misrepresented, the victims are the people in her country who have to watch in horror. She's a killer who should not be defended under any circumstances; sorry, you killed kids I don't give a damn about your pronouns.

So, you think YOUR bullying situation was bad. Get ready to cry. In my high-school there was this black kid who had cancer. He was a little off, probably because he was always in an out of the hospital and who knows what else. Anyway, one year his leg got amputated and he had to get around school on a crutch. I saw him in the bathroom one time with a group of boys and they were all making fun of him for missing his leg. If I recall they were actually PHYSICALLY bullying him too. Months later he died from the cancer. Dont you EVER in your life think your bullying situation was bad and you can't get over it. You still have air in your lungs at least.

I had an awful childhood. I was bullied. I was assaulted well ... nobody has to pay for the discomfort of my life . I have ASD and anxiety and depression yes life sometimes sucks but it is why you had to make the best of it . Nobody has to pay for it . She taked the wrong turn . She turned to anger i choose to turn to forgiveness... you can choose. We have the power to choose. Rip to the victims... 😢💞

Thank you for not trying to justify her killing innocent people, as I’ve heard from others. This was sadistic and so well planned.

Thank you for this break down. Audrey should have been able to empathize with the week and vulnerable, being someone who felt mistreated. Instead, she murdered them. "If you live by the sword, you die by the sword". Matt 26:52

Sorry, but if he felt he couldn’t live authentically and was not accepted by his family, then his 28 year old self could have moved out and gotten away from that toxicity. How can one person buy 7 guns/assault rifles legally? Shouldn’t that trigger law officials/mental health providers to investigate that person’s mental status and identify if they are homicidal/suicidal? There is such a thing as an involuntary hold for mental health evaluation and treatment. Clearly anyone whose psychopathy includes homicidal ideation needs to be institutionalized and not allowed to by 7 guns at 5 different places. I can’t understand how there are more regulations on cars than there are guns. Every car must be registered and insured, so should guns.

Your voice of reason and clarity is soothing Dr. Grande. Thank you for your integrity. This world is a better place because of you. ❤️🕊️🤗🌵

You’re on this so quickly with information I haven’t heard yet from other sources. Thank you Dr Grande, this is so tragic. RIP the children and teachers at the school.

I was tormented, bullied and stalked. I learned programming and math afterwards. Having said that, I'm the one battling to pull myself up. Mental healthcare in America is lacking.

I do want to point out as a trans person that trans people are just as horrified and disgusted with this crime. Trans people, with the exception of a few extremists, would NEVER think to commit such a crime. This is a terrible tragedy and I’m heartbroken for the families of the victims.

I’m not a nugget doctor…..I would add, this entire elaborate plan, as we learn more, was a suicide but she didn’t have the guts to pull the trigger on herself.

The footage of her shooting out the glass doors and walking down the hallways is terrifying. RIP all the innocent victims.

Failing to continue living in life is a tragedy, but choosing to take the innocent lives of others with you on your way to a suicide is just evil.

Thank you for this video. Mass shootings at schools are horrific acts of violence and the shooters shouldn't be praised.

I can't imagine trying to justify this. I was bullied heavily all 12 years of school and then in 3 workplaces yet i have never and will never kill another person.

Appropriately stated Dr. Grande. I will never understand why people who want to end their life, are so willing to ends others first. It’s truly evil.

People that are bullied but go on to take the lives of others, were always bullies within themselves but never had the chance to be one. Notice they usually pick children. That’s who they would’ve targeted to begin with. They’ve gotta get the big ‘haha’ in before they go. This is why when grown folks say ‘I hate kids’, my ears perk up.

As a society, how far have we gone backwards to not see what’s in front of our faces? Whoever defends these losers who kill children bc they were bullied seriously need to go get some mental help.

She not only killed those adults and children, but in doing so, she struck a terrible blow at their families.

Thank you so much for analyzing this case so quickly. No matter what ill-treatment Audrey Hale might've endured, it's unfathomable that anyone would even consider justifying the calculated, heartless, cold-blooded murders that Audrey committed of six innocent people.

I am so sick of ppl justifying and labeling ppl when they commit a crime. What the offender did is wrong and they know that they did wrong and quit having smypathy for these offenders.

I don't understand why people are more focused on the fact that the shooter was trans than the fact that literal innocent children were killed. Even as a trans girl in the 8th almost to 9th grade I can understand that there are some more important things to focus on.

As Dr Grande said, there is no justification for this person’s deplorable actions. What kind of human murders children?

Thank you for your objective analysis. It’s easy to react emotionally when such an extreme tragedy occurs. We need voices of reason in times like this. I will keep the families of the victims in my prayers

Thank you, Dr. Grande for not portraying Hale as a victim.

Thank you for your take on this. I am disgusted by the people trying to excuse her behavior or taking her side. There is no excuse for this behavior, we all have had tragedy and trauma in our lives and shooting children and the elderly is not the answer, they were innocent victims. Any excuse for her behavior is vile and disturbing

20 years ago I put myself into an anger management program that was mostly filled with court ordered offenders. The one thing that was taught and is oh so true is regardless of what may have happened to you, you yourself are 100% responsible for your own actions! You are spot on with hammering home this same message to the idiots who support her actions!🇨🇦

I agree with 97% of your analysis, and agree that the sole responsibility belongs with the shooter. However there is no such thing as transgender ideology. To use such a statement furthers and sanctions the wilful misunderstanding of trans people.

To date, the police still refuse to release the manifesto. Wonder why?🤔

Dr. Grande I always love to hear your take on pretty much everything. Well with this one , I have never agreed with you more. This happened in my hometown. I was a director of 2 childcare facilities that were very close to this church/ school. I dropped kids off at school literally down the street from there. For the past 2 days I will cry out of nowhere. I can't wrap my head around this. I definitely cannot understand how ANYONE can justify this evil. I am so glad you touched on that, because no one wants to talk about the fact that some people on the left are actually justifying this evil act. Thank you for this video❤

Condolences to anyone affected by this horrible event.

Is no one talking about the fact that she was hopped up on testosterone, only aggravating any mental illness and anger she may have had?

I agree with everything you said, but I don't understand why the video is called Transgender Ideology, as the vast majority of trans people don't think that way / wouldn't defend her

I love it when people who say that you shouldn't politicize shootings are actually the first people to politicize shootings when it fits their narrative

Thank you for that last bit. Two wrongs do not make a right. Killing innocent people because somebody else may have hurt you is NOT acceptable. Period. My heart is absolutely broken for the victims, their families, classmates, and communities... 💔

Well analyzed Doc, there is absolutely NO justification for killing innocent people that don’t even know you!!! So many people have it tough wawawa!!

As a high school teacher, I'm seeing a lot of kids who identify as trans these days. They tend to be especially gentle and kind for teenagers and while I don't understand the gender-identity phenomenon, I do feel sad that this incident is going to tar a lot of innocent people with a very big brush. I fear it will be used for knee-jerk political reaction instead of for opening up reasonable discussion.

Everyone, at some point in life, sometimes even as adults, has been bullied. Most of us learned how to become stronger mentally & emotionally. But we also learned how to cope with it. We may still have cried, but we got over it quicker. Murder is never the answer.

You are so right, and I appreciate your commentary on this. This hit very close to home, having family who worked at the school previously. The victim blaming and excuses being made for the killer in the media are horrifying. To my knowledge the staff there were very loving, kind and cared very much for those children, and I'm sure Audrey as well.

As someone with an interest in (and a degree) in psychology as was as recently diagnosed ASD, I have always been confused by motives of mass killers; even if looked at from a selfish point of view. It seems like a good analogy would be someone who is frustrated because they have lung cancer, and taking that frustration out on others without considering that those they take frustration out on may have brain cancer or breast cancer or testicular cancer or any of the multitue of other diseases or any of the multitude of other internal or external causes of suffering. We can fall into the trap of thinking that just because someone doesn't suffer in the exact same way that we are suffering, that their suffering doesn't count. I had an unpleasant time in elementary school, and some bullying in junior high and high school (though after elementary school, it was much easier to handle than it was in elementary school). Yet I had what was in some ways a disadvantage in moving a lot as a child, one advantage I did have was that seeing the same patters occur told me that my suffering wasn't the fault of individuals, but of something in society that no individual causes. In this way, they themselves are likely just as much a victim as I am (though every one suffers in different degrees and in different ways). Often the bully were (are?) themselves victims of bullying. And if the issue is with certain segments or aspects of a society; there are at least 3 problems there: 1: how to fight a society you see as wrong without in any way harming the individuals embedded in that society (for even those who fully believe in that society are socialized or perhaps even brainwashed to believe in that society and are thus a different sort of victim). 2: how many societies are fully bad (as if they function with any effectiveness at all, a society provides some good). Granted, it is looking at the balance of good and bad in a society (for example the Nazi society is so far into bad that no good could balance it out). 3: how can any person, with an only finite ability to know or judge, know if any disagreement is due to their own incomplete understanding? How much of that finger you point in blame could point back to yourself? Also, if your issue is with an ideology; how can violence satisfy your frustration? It seems the best way to work through or process such a conflict is with words, not weapons. Lastly, if you have a clash of ideologies, using violence in an attempt to proove your point will only weaken your point...as the committer of violence simply demonize themselves and by association, any ideology they may have. It will drive others away from your ideology (and any sympathy toward you and your ideology) instead of toward your ideology (and any sympathy toward you and your ideology).

She did the shooting because no one wanted to lay her. She was jealous about every woman with a child because they obviously got laid. So she wanted to inflict her pain to those mothers who obviously got laid instead of her. Thats the reasoning people nowadays get batshit crazy if they don’t get to experience sex.

Anytime someone says "youll hear about me on the news" talking of suicide, the police should be allowed to go apprehend that person immediately and go do it.

Thank Dr. Grande you are always working overtime for us! We appreciate you very much🌵🌵🌵

Why do they have to even say “trans” killer? Does it matter? A school shooter, doesn’t matter gay, straight, transgender.

The world definitely needs someone like dr grande

I'll never understand how killing random people, especially children, is considered a goal to animals like this. I feel so bad for the victims families, the kids in the building when this happened, and even for The killer's family.

I am curious about the manifesto, but as you said... nothing excuses this violence. And this was no act of revenge or defense of gender expression... This was a horrific and calculated killing. Thanks for covering this, and I hope you will update with more thoughts as we learn more about the "motive" behind this.