WATCH: Josh Hawley Calls for Federal Action in Response to Nashville Shooting That Targeted Christians

On Tuesday, Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) called on the FBI to open a federal hate crime investigation into the shooting in Nashville on Monday that left six people dead, including three children.

“Yesterday the nation witnessed the vicious murder of small schoolchildren in Nashville, Tennesee,” Hawley’s letter, addressed to FBI Director Christopher Wray began.

I am calling on FBI Director Wray and Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas to open a federal hate crime investigation into the massacre in Nashville – targeting a Christian school 👇 pic.twitter.com/IvzrJUY2ZH

— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) March 28, 2023

“It is commonplace to call such horrors ‘senseless violence,'” Hawley would continue. “But properly speaking, this is false. Police report that the attack here was ‘targeted’ – targeted, that is, against Christians.”

Hawley is referencing information that has come to light in the aftermath of the shooting. As previously reported by the DC Enquirer, Nashville police chief John Drake explained Monday that he believed the shooting was, “targeted and planned.” On Monday, the FBI also raided the home of the shooter, finding detailed maps and a manifesto from the shooter.

“Federal law explicitly criminalizes acts of violence against individuals based on religious affiliation as hate crimes,” Hawley explained, specifically referencing the federal hate crime statute (18 U.S.C. § 249(a)(1)). “According to Nashville law enforcement, [The shooter]’s attack was was both predetermined and “targeted” against this Christian school, its students and employees… Moreover, police detectives believe [the shooter] had “Some resentment for having to go to that school.”

BREAKING: NASHVILLE POLICE BODYCAM FOOTAGE OF SHOOTER TAKEDOWN RELEASED

“I urge you to immediately open an investigation into this shooting as a federal hate crime,” Hawley implored. “The full resources of the federal government must be brought to bear to determine how this crime occurred, and who may have influenced the deranged shooter to carry out these horrific crimes.”

“Hate that leads to violence must be condemned. And all hate crimes must be prosecuted,” Hawley concluded.

On Tuesday, when introducing the resolution on the Senate floor, Hawley would add,  “This murderous rampage, this taking of innocent life, was a horrific crime, but more specifically it was a hate crime. A crime, that according to Nashville police, specifically targeted… the members of this Christian community.”

“Let’s be clear Mr. President. Federal law prohibits the targeting of violence against any American on the basis of religious affiliation or religious practice or religious belief. But that is, according to police, exactly what we saw yesterday, Hawley continued. “The members of this community were singled out because of their religious affiliation.”

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