Cañon City family grieving loss of 9-year-old niece killed in Nashville school shooting
FREMONT COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) -- A Southern Colorado family is mourning the loss of their young niece who died in a shooting at a private Christian school in Nashville.
According to investigators, a former student of Nashville’s Covenant School is accused of carrying out a mass shooting Monday morning that killed six people; three students and three adults.
Their names are Evelyn Dieckhaus, William Kinney, and Hallie Scruggs - all nine - substitute teacher Cynthia Peak, 61, custodian Mike Hill, 61, and the head of the school Katherine Koonce, 60.
Hallie is the niece of the Arnold family, who owns the Little Canyon Inn in Cañon City. They moved to Colorado to open the inn nearly two years ago. Now, they're headed back to Nashville to be with their family.
Monday evening, the Arnold family released a statement on the inn’s Facebook page asking for grace during this difficult time.
In a post, the owners wrote, "Our 9-year-old niece was taken from us in a senseless act of violence that just shouldn’t exist in this world. Grab your loved ones and hold them tight."
They ended the post by saying while they will be honoring all upcoming reservations, they hope guests will be patient and understanding. While the owners make their back to Nashville to be with loved ones, local friends will be tending to the Little Canyon Inn while they're away.
The Arnolds told KRDO the emotions are too raw to share - but they’re grateful for the outpouring of support from Tennesee and the community here.
Cañon City Mayor Ashley Smith said the city is keeping the family and Hallie in its thoughts.
There are two fundraisers, one for Hallie and one for all six victims.