Cynthia 'Cindy' Broyles Peak, a 61-year-old female, was tragically killed on March 27, 2023, in Nashville, Tennessee. A beloved substitute teacher, she was one of six victims in a mass shooting that took place at The Covenant School, a private Christian elementary school.
That morning, a former student, 28-year-old Audrey Hale, forcibly entered the school armed with two assault-style weapons and a handgun.
Hale proceeded to open fire, fatally shooting three nine-year-old students, Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs, and William Kinney, along with three adult staff members. In addition to Peak, the other adult victims were the head of school, Katherine Koonce, 60, and custodian Mike Hill, 61.
The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department responded to the scene and engaged the shooter. Hale was shot and killed by two officers during the confrontation. An investigation into the shooting revealed that Hale had planned the attack, having created detailed maps of the school and conducted surveillance of the location. The shooter had legally purchased seven firearms and concealed them from family members.
Friends and family remembered Cynthia Peak as a woman of deep faith who was a pillar of her community. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Known for her kindness and dedication to her students, she was a longtime educator who had taught in various capacities. Her death was mourned by the community, including Tennessee's First Lady Maria Lee, who was a close friend.
