Nashville SC, Toronto FC fans hold moment of silence to honor Covenant School shooting victims

Nashville SC and Toronto FC supporters paused their chants Saturday for a moment of silence during the game at Geodis Park to honor the six victims killed during a shooting at The Covenant School on March 27.

The moment of silence commenced at the sixth minute and was held through the 12th minute in remembrance of the three children and three staff members who died in the shooting. Nashville and Toronto supporters rose their cell phones to illuminate their phone lights. Fans sang "This Little Light Of Mine" after the 12th minute.

Audrey Hale, the shooter who fired more than 150 rounds during the shooting, was killed by police on the school campus.

Students Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs and William Kinney and Covenant School staff members Katherine Koonce, Cynthia Peak and Mike Hill were killed in the shooting.

Backline Supporters Collective raise 'End Gun Violence' banner

At the north end of Geodis Park, fans raised an orange banner with bold white letters that read, "END GUN VIOLENCE.".

The second banner in Spanish read, "¡YA BASTA! ENOUGH!" which translates to "stop! enough!"

The same banners raised in July 2022 at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas, after the Uvalde school shooting.

Nashville coach Gary Smith and midfielder Dax McCarty were among Nashville players and staff who have publicly shared their opinions on gun control following the school shooting.

For stories about Nashville SC or Soccer in Tennessee, contact Drake Hills at DHills@gannett.com. Follow Drake on Twitter at @LiveLifeDrake. Connect with Drake on Instagram at @drakehillssoccer and on Facebook.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville SC fans hold moment of silence for The Covenant School