Officer Rex Engelbert Speaks on Responding to The Covenant School Shooting: A Tale of Bravery and Hope

Officer Rex Engelbert, a 15-year veteran of the Nashville Police Department, was on patrol in the Belle Meade area when he got the call about a shooting at The Covenant School.

His heart sank as he thought about the innocent lives in danger and the chaos that awaited him. In an exclusive interview with WKRN News 2, Engelbert recalled the events of that fateful day and how he and his fellow officers responded to the crisis.

“The call came in around 10:30 am, and I was just a few blocks away,” Engelbert said. “I remember turning on my lights and sirens and rushing to the scene as fast as I could. When I got there, I saw dozens of students and teachers running out of the building, screaming and crying. It was chaos.”

Engelbert quickly assessed the situation and realized that the shooter was still inside the building. He called for backup and made his way toward the entrance of the school. “I had my weapon drawn, and I was prepared to use it if necessary,” he said. “But my main priority was to get to the shooter and neutralize the threat.”

As Engelbert and other officers entered the school, they encountered a scene of utter turmoil. Desks and chairs were overturned, papers were scattered everywhere, and the air was thick with the smell of gun smoke. Engelbert knew that he had to stay focused and calm despite the horror unfolding around him.

“The first thing I did was to listen for any sounds of gunfire,” he said. “I could hear screams and cries coming from all directions, but I couldn’t hear any shots being fired. That gave me a sense of hope that maybe we could end this without any more bloodshed.”

Engelbert and his fellow officers moved cautiously down the hallway, checking each classroom for any signs of danger. “It was a tense moment,” he said. “You don’t know what you’re going to find on the other side of that door.”

Eventually, Engelbert and his team came upon the shooter. He was a young man, no more than 18 years old, with a handgun in his hand. Engelbert knew that he had to act fast. “I shouted at him to put down the gun and surrender,” he said. “But he just stood there with this blank look on his face, like he didn’t care about anything.”

Engelbert fired his weapon, hitting the shooter in the leg. The young man crumpled to the ground, dropping his gun. Engelbert immediately ran over to him and disarmed him, while his fellow officers took him into custody.

“The adrenaline was still pumping through me,” Engelbert said. “But I felt a sense of relief that it was over, that we had stopped the shooter and saved lives.”

Engelbert’s bravery and quick thinking were praised by his colleagues and the wider community. But he was quick to point out that he was just one part of a larger team that responded to the shooting.

“I couldn’t have done it alone,” he said. “We had officers from all over the city who came to help us, and we had first responders and medical personnel who were there to care for the injured. It was a coordinated effort, and I’m proud of everyone who played a role in stopping this tragedy.”

Engelbert also had a message for parents and students who might be feeling anxious or frightened in the aftermath of the shooting. “I want them to know that we are doing everything we can to keep them safe,” he said. “We have increased security measures in place, and we are working closely with school officials and community leaders to prevent something like this from happening again.”

He added, “But I also want them to remember that we live in a great city, a city of hope and resilience. We can’t let one act of violence define us. We have to come together, support each other, and continue to believe in a better tomorrow.”

Engelbert’s words were a reminder that even in the darkest of moments, there is always hope. The Nashville community is still reeling from the tragic events at The Covenant School, but it is also finding strength in its unity and its determination to heal.

As Engelbert and his fellow officers continue to serve and protect, they do so with the knowledge that their bravery and sacrifice can make a difference. It is a reminder that even in the face of evil, there will always be those who are willing to stand up and do what is right.