At least 3 children dead in mass shooting at Tennessee elementary school

At least three children have been confirmed dead after a mass shooting took place in a Tennessee elementary school today.

The shooting has left at least three children and two adults dead during a shooting which took place at The Covenant School earlier this morning (27 March), a private Christian grade school based in Nashville, hospital officials said.

Around 200 pupils attend the grade school - from preschool age all the way through to sixth grade.

Spokesperson for Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Craig Boerner, said the victims were pronounced dead upon arrival at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital.

"We can now confirm three children and two adults from the school shooting were transported to our Adult Emergency Department (2 adults) and (3 children) to the Pediatric Emergency Department at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital." Another Vanderbilt University Medical Center spokesperson, John Howser, added: "All 5 patients have been pronounced dead."

The names and ages of the victims and the suspect have not yet been released to the public.

The police department confirmed: "An active shooter event has taken place at Covenant School, Covenant Presbyterian Church, on Burton Hills Dr.

"The shooter was engaged by MNPD and is dead.

"Student reunification with parents is at Woodmont Baptist Church, 2100 Woodmont Blvd."

The Nashville Fire Department confirmed it had responded to an 'active aggressor' and now has 'multiple patients'.

"We are responding to an active aggressor at 33 Burton Hills Blvd Covenant School. We can confirm we have multiple patients.

"Parents coming to the school should go to 20 Burton Hills at this time. this is an active scene," it tweeted earlier this evening.

In a second statement, the fire department added that a 'reunification area' had been established at '2100 Woodmont Blvd (Woodmont Baptist Church)' for parents to meet their children.

Chairman John Ray Clemmons has offered his condolences to the families of the victims.

He wrote: "Our thoughts are with the families of this school community. Praying that all the children are safe."

"Absolutely devastating and heart wrenching. Every parent’s worst nightmare. Tennessee family, please lift these families up in your prayers," the chairman added.

A 'Media briefing at Staging Area' has since been announced by the police officials and is set to commence shortly.

If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677