NASHVILLE, Tenn. – In response to a Nashville school shooting last year that claimed the lives of six individuals, family members have taken action by filing an ethics complaint against Tennessee State Senator Todd Gardenhire. The complaint alleges that the senator is pursuing a self-serving agenda through legal action to obtain the writings of the shooter and pushing legislation that could hinder third party involvement in public records lawsuits.
Last year, Sen. Gardenhire, along with others, submitted open records requests for access to the shooter’s journals and other materials gathered by Metro Nashville Police during their investigation. Despite police indicating that the documents will be released once the investigation concludes, which is expected in a few months, access was denied, leading to a lawsuit filed by the senator and others to compel the release of the records.
The involvement of Covenant parents, the Covenant School, and the Covenant Presbyterian Church in the legal dispute added complexity to the case. Following a court decision allowing them to intervene, the school and church aimed to prevent the release of any information that could jeopardize the safety of the building. The parents’ concerns included protecting their children from potential retraumatization and deterring copycat behavior.
Sen. Gardenhire’s subsequent introduction of a bill prohibiting third-party intervention in public records lawsuits has sparked further controversy. The ethics complaint lodged against him asserts that he utilized his position to push legislation that would eliminate opposition. Accusations include a failure to disclose his ties to the Covenant records lawsuit.
Despite voicing concerns about government control of records, Sen. Gardenhire did not mention the ongoing lawsuit when advocating for his bill in the State and Local Government Committee. The bill swiftly passed the Senate without debate or opposition and is set to be considered by the House of Representatives.
As the legislative process unfolds, a victim’s rights organization has urged House members to reject the bill, emphasizing that it could weaken victims’ already limited influence in the aftermath of traumatic experiences. Verna Wyatt, co-founder of Tennessee Voices for Victims, underscored the potential impact on individuals navigating challenging circumstances.
Sen. Gardenhire declined to provide a statement through a spokesperson, maintaining a low profile amid escalating critique over his legislative actions and involvement in the contentious records lawsuit.