Mayor Freddie O’Connell on Monday tapped investigators to look into how Steven Crowder obtained a copy of Hale’s manifesto.
The mayor of Nashville, Tennessee, urged the city’s top lawyer to investigate the leak of trans mass shooter Audrey Hale’s manifesto, which appeared online Monday courtesy of conservative radio host Steven Crowder.
Democrat Mayor Freddie O’Connell on Monday said he’d tapped investigators to look into how Crowder obtained a copy of Hale’s manifesto, which he said could affect the “safety, security, and well-being” of people still grieving over the Covenant School shooting that left 6 dead, including 3 children.
O’Connell did not, however, confirm the authenticity of images of the manifesto circulating online.
“I have directed Wally Dietz, Metro’s Law Director, to initiate an investigation into how these images could have been released,” O’Connell stated according to NashvilleScene.com.
“That investigation may involve local, state, and federal authorities. I am deeply concerned with the safety, security, and well-being of the Covenant families and all Nashvillians who are grieving.”
“This incident naturally invokes additional emotional trauma, and families or individuals who need support should reach out to professionals at National Alliance on Mental Illness (615-891-4724), MNPD support counselors (615-862-7773) or MNPS Family Information Center (615-259-INFO).”
Following the mayor’s remarks, Dietz said he’d launch an investigation using “multiple law enforcement agencies.”
A lawyer for Hale’s parents came forward Monday saying neither he nor his clients had publicly released the images.
The search for the leaker comes as “Louder With Crowder” host Steven Crowder on Monday posted photos to X (formerly Twitter) of Hale’s manifesto, a document that has long been sought by conservatives.
As of writing, the X platform appears to have disabled embeds of Crowder’s viral tweet.
“So…they are confirming they are legit then?” Crowder responded to Mayor O’Connell’s remarks.
On Monday, Fox News Nashville confirmed the authenticity of the images of the manifesto circulating online, reporting only that it was confirmed by an anonymous source.
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