"Heartbroken" Shawn Johnson East Shares Her Kids Were on Lockdown Due to Nashville School Shooting

Shawn Johnson East shared she "can't stop crying" after her children returned home following news of The Covenant School shooting. Read her message and other parents' words on the tragedy.

By Kelly Gilmore Mar 27, 2023 11:00 PMTags
Watch: Shawn Johnson Says Her Kids Were on Lockdown Amid Nashville Shooting

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."

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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."

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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.

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"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."

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