NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Big Mike. Students at The Covenant School in Nashville know and remember Michael Hill, custodian who was one of six victims in Monday’s school attack.
Brittany Hill stated Thursday that her father loved children and adored them.
She said that all of the messages she received via Facebook, Instagram, and text messages were about Big Mike’s love for the children.
Michael Hill, 61 was a religious, praying man. He was well-known for his corny “dad jokes”, and the names he loved calling his seven children.
Catie Beck interviews members of Michael Hill’s family: from left, Brittany Hill, Tawana Garner, Marquita Oglesby and Joshua Smith.
NBC News
Hill was among three adults and three children who were killed Monday by an attacker armed with two assault rifles and a gun.
Police killed the 28 year-old shooter and have not yet released any motive.
Hill’s family waited together with other victims’ families until a police officer and chaplain confirmed that he had been murdered.
Learn more about the Nashville school shooting
“We were waiting for it to confirm, but we knew before,” Tawana Garner’s daughter said Thursday. “I knew instantly when he didn’t answer the telephone.”
Joshua Smith stated that his father would be devastated to learn that his children also died.
Smith stated that in this situation, it is normal to feel frustrated, upset, and angry. But those are the things that gradually eat away at you over time. “I believe that our dad would like us to show compassion to one another as well as to families who have been affected by tragedy,” Smith said.
Marquita Oglesby, Hill’s daughter, said Monday’s shooting would spur change in the family and that “this wouldn’t happen again.”
Oglesby stated that it was unclear whether gun laws have changed or mental illness has changed. Both need to be changed. “Right now, neither one is being addressed.”
She said, “We want to see something done about it.” “There is no justice in this for anyone.”
Even though Michael Hill’s family never had the chance to say farewell, they still have his messages. He would often text them and, at most, every few days, he’d send them a message saying “I love you.”
Brittany Hill stated that “Everyone, every single one of us — all seven of us received those ‘I Love You’ texts, those random, ‘I Love Yous’.” “I will miss those, I am going to miss them. “I’m going to miss those random “I love you”s.
