Mother of Covenant Victim Calls for Change on Lookout Mountain

Katy Dieckhaus, the mother of Covenant School Shooting victim Evelyn Dieckhaus, speaking about gun safety at The Church of the Good Shepherd on Lookout Mountain.

LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, Tenn. (WDEF)- It has been over seven months since six people, including three children, were murdered in a mass shooting at the Covenant School in Nashville.

The mother of one of the shooting’s youngest victims is now speaking out hoping to stop what happened to her family, to happen to others.

Evelyn Dieckhaus was only nine years old when she was murdered inside Covenant on March 27th.

Her mother, Katy, has since began speaking on Evelyn’s behalf, as she says she is on a mission to ensure other families never have to experience her grief.

She is teaming with a new advocacy group who says there are three proposals they think can make our state safer.

She referenced a letter she wrote to lawmakers two years before her daughter was killed in which she expressed her concern about rising gun violence.

Mrs. Dieckhaus said, “What if they’re not quick to the draw? Like in the Wild West? his is where we’re heading and it breaks my heart. Please truly think about the safety of all. Thank you for your time, Sincerely, Katy. Fast forward to March 27, 2023. Our Evelyn wasn’t quick to the draw.”

Advocacy group Voices for a Safer Tennessee was launched in the wake of the Covenant Shooting, and now holds community meetings across the state like the one held Wednesday afternoon at The Church of the Good Shepherd on Lookout Mountain.

Church leadership says the Covenant Shooting was a wakeup call.

Rev. Robert Childers, the Rector of The Church of the Good Shepherd, remarked, “We have a school here. Everyday of the week we have at least 150 children come through here…and it’s about taking care of children.”

Voices for a Safer Tennessee say there are three main proposals they are advocating for the wake of the Covenant School Shooting. 

These are temporary transfers of firearms during a mental health crisis, stricter law on secure firearm storage inside of vehicles, and closing background check loopholes.

The Chairman of Voices for a Safer Tennessee, Todd Cruse, said, “I think when you think about those, those are very common sense, pragmatic solutions to the problems that are in front of us. Whether you are in the urban area where guns are stolen often or you’re in the rural areas where the suicide rate is twice as high as in other areas of the state, the message is resonating.”

These potential solutions did not see traction during the recent Special Session in Nashville.

For those already affected, the lack of action is painful.

Mrs. Dieckhaus said, “That phone call that there was a shooting at their school. Those text messages from that day. Feeling voices start to drown out and your heart confused whether it’s still beating or not.”

She discussed how spirited of a daughter Evelyn was, and how her deep faith and favorite Bible verse foreshadows a potential solution.

Mrs. Dieckhaus said, “Finally, all of you have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble might… She wants people to work together.”

Voices for a Safer Tennessee say they plan to continue escalating their advocacy through the upcoming elections next year, and beyond if necessary.