In Pics | Nashville school shooting: 3 kids among 6 killed in attack

Three students and three adults were killed and several others injured in a gun attack at a school in the US state of Tennessee before the trans perpetrator was shot dead by the police. The victims included three nine-year-old children, the school's top administrator, a substitute teacher, and a custodian. Panicked parents rushed to the school to see if their children were safe and tearfully hugged their kids, and a stunned community held a vigil for the victims.

A heavily armed former student killed three young children and three staff in what appeared to be a carefully planned attack at a private elementary school in Nashville on Monday, before being shot dead by police. Credit: AFP Photo

Chief of Police John Drake named the suspect as Audrey Hale, 28, who left behind a manifesto and had maps of the school detailing surveillance and entry-exit points. Credit: AFP Photo

The suspect was

In an interview with NBC News, Chief of Police John Drake said the suspect was likely plotting a broader attack, as the manifesto

Armed with at least two assault rifles and a handgun, Hale entered The Covenant School, a Christian academy, from a side entrance, allegedly shooting through a door -- firing multiple shots while advancing through the building, according to police. Credit: AFP Photo

Police identified the six victims, saying one of the three children was eight years old and two were aged nine, while the adults killed were aged 60 to 61. Credit: Reuters Photo

One of the victims, Katherine Koonce, is listed as head of the school on the academy's website. Credit: The Covenant School

There was some initial confusion about the shooter's gender identity, but police later said Hale was a transgender person. Credit: Reuters Photo

Officers were on the scene within 15 minutes of receiving the first emergency call at around 10 am local time (1500 GMT) and engaged the shooter, who returned fire before being shot dead, police said. Credit: AFP Photo

School shootings are alarmingly common in the United States, where the proliferation of firearms has soared in recent years. Credit: AFP Photo

President Joe Biden described the latest shooting as

The US flag flies at half mast on top of the White House in Washington, DC following a school shooting in Nashville, Tennessee. Credit: AFP Photo