NATIONAL NEWS

An ex-police officer implicated in leak of a Nashville school shooter’s journals has been arrested

May 6, 2025, 12:26 PM

FILE - People console each other at an entry to Covenant School, March 28, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn...

FILE - People console each other at an entry to Covenant School, March 28, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn., which has become a memorial to the victims of Monday's school shooting. (AP Photo/John Amis, file)
Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS

(AP Photo/John Amis, file)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A former Nashville police lieutenant was arrested Tuesday on charges of theft, burglary and official misconduct after he was accused of taking case files, including records from a school shooting where three 9-year-olds and three adult staff were killed.

In announcing the arrest of Garet Davidson, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said he used his position with the Office of Professional Accountability at the Metro Nashville Police Department to gain access to restricted areas. “He then took multiple criminal case files, internal investigation case files, original case files, and other documents he was not authorized to retain,” according to a TBI news release. Davidson was booked into the Nashville jail on a $150,000 bond.

Davidson’s attorney, Alex Little, said he would have a statement about the arrest later on Tuesday.

Some of the charges are related to the March 2023 Covenant School shooting, according to the TBI. Davidson was previously implicated in the leak of the shooter’s journals to conservative media outlets. The Tennessee Star published dozens of stories based on what they said were 80 pages of the shooter’s writings.

That outlet was one of several parties that had filed open records requests with Nashville police for records related to the shooting, including the journals. When the city refused to immediately release the records in 2023, they sued. The plaintiffs included a gun rights group, a law enforcement nonprofit and Tennessee State Sen. Todd Gardenhire. On the other side was not just the city, but parents of many of the Covenant students who wanted to keep the records secret.

The situation quickly ballooned into a messy mix of conspiracy theories, leaked documents, probate battles and accusations of ethical misconduct. In July, a judge ruled for the parents, who claimed they own the copyright to the writings, transferred to them from the shooter’s parents as next of kin. That decision is currently under appeal.

Meanwhile, the Federal Bureau of Investigation last month provided Tennessee Star owner, Star News Digital, with a redacted version of its Covenant shooting files in response to a separate lawsuit. In a federal court filing, the FBI said it withheld names and identifying information of third parties and detailed descriptions of the shooter’s plans. Also last month, Nashville police released a final report on the shooting that included details about the shooter’s writings, mental health and motivations.

Those killed in the shooting were Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs, and William Kinney, all 9 years old, and adults Cynthia Peak, 61; Katherine Koonce, 60; and Mike Hill, 61. Shooter Audrey Hale was shot and killed by police at the scene.

National News

FILE - This image shows the logo of WeightWatchers on a mobile phone, and the company's website, in...

Associated Press

WeightWatchers files for bankruptcy protection to eliminate debt burden

NEW YORK (AP) — WeightWatchers said Tuesday it is filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to eliminate $1.15 billion in debt and focus on its transition into a telehealth services provider. Parent WW International Inc. said it has the support of nearly three-quarters of its debt holders. It expects to emerge from bankruptcy within 45 […]

10 minutes ago

Associated Press

Ohio voters approve ballot issue authorizing $2.5 billion in bonds over 10 years for infrastructure

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio voters agreed to reauthorize a program on Tuesday that will provide $2.5 billion for roads, bridges and other needed local infrastructure projects over the next decade. State Issue 2 called for the renewal of the Ohio Capital Improvement Program, which was first authorized in 1987. Administered by the Ohio Public […]

31 minutes ago

A member of Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro's state police protective detail stands on duty behind a...

Associated Press

Pennsylvania governor’s residence to get an ‘anti-climb’ fence

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A barrier described as an “anti-climb fence” is in the works for the Pennsylvania governor’s official residence, the state police chief said Tuesday, less than a month after a late-night intruder jumped the existing fence, broke into the home and started a damaging fire. Col. Christopher Paris’ letter to state lawmakers […]

1 hour ago

District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser listens as President Donald Trump speaks during an event t...

Associated Press

Trump, Congress and city council: Managing relationships, DC’s mayor walks a tightrope

WASHINGTON (AP) — D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser drew a laugh from the room when she was asked how it feels to manage a mercurial relationship with the White House and Congress — while, by the way, also trying to run a city of 700,000 people. “It is just like you might imagine,” she deadpanned. “It’s […]

2 hours ago

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent testifies before the House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommitt...

Associated Press

Top Trump officials to meet with Chinese counterparts amid trade war

WASHINGTON (AP) — Top U.S. officials are set to meet with a high-level Chinese delegation this weekend in Switzerland, the administration announced Tuesday, in the first major talks between the two nations since President Donald Trump sparked a trade war between the two powers with stiff tariffs on imports. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and trade […]

2 hours ago

President Donald Trump meets Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in the Oval Office of the White Ho...

Associated Press

Canada’s Carney becomes the latest foreign leader to get the Trump treatment in the Oval Office

WASHINGTON (AP) — A meeting between the leaders of Canada and the United States is not usually considered a high stakes showdown, but there was little ordinary about this one. Here was newly elected Prime Minister Mark Carney making his first visit to the Oval Office to see President Donald Trump, who has spent months […]

2 hours ago

An ex-police officer implicated in leak of a Nashville school shooter’s journals has been arrested