SIX PEOPLE – three of them children – were killed by a shooter at a Nashville, Tenn. private school (Shutterstock).

A former student at the school fatally shot three children and three adults on Monday at a Christian private school in Nashville, Tennessee.

According to news reports, the shooter – identified as Audrey Elizabeth Hale, 28 – was killed by police. She had entered the campus of The Covenant school around 10 a.m. Carrying two assault-style rifles and a pistol she began shooting on the second floor where the six victims were killed. All three students were 9 years old.

Police fatally shot Hale after hearing the shots from that part of the school.

The victims were identified as Evelyn Dieckhaus, William Kinney, and Hallie Scruggs (the daughter of Covenant Presbyterian Church’s pastor), all 9 years old. The adults were identified as Cynthia Peak, 61; Mike Hill, 61; and Katherine Koonce, 60, who was the head of the school.

Police say that the perpetrator had no criminal record and was “transgender.”

Is wooing Utah, Mormons?

CHINA is reported to be wooing Utah and Mormons (Shutterstock).

The Associated Press is reporting than China is engaged in a campaign to build its image by cultivating a relationship with leaders in Utah, known for its conservatism and as the center of the Church of the Jesus Christ, Latter Day Saints, commonly known as Mormons.

Efforts by the communist government of China have had some success, according to the AP, delaying legislation and opposing resolutions opposed by Beijing.

Also in the news … A campaign to curb the power of the nation’s judiciary by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been paused. His efforts to eliminate the court system’s power to declare some executive and legislative actions unconstitutional sparked widespread protests, including objections from Israel’s military leadership.

Sports: Area pro teams are busy

It’ll be a manic Monday for area sports fans tonight. The Dodgers and Angels are playing in Anaheim in the second game of their exhibition series at 6:10 p.m. The Clippers are hosting the Chicago Bulls at 7:30 p.m. In NHL action, the Anaheim Ducks hosts the Colorado Avalanche at 7 p.m. and the Los Angeles Kings host the St. Louis Blues at 7:30 p.m.

Results will be posted later.

Weather: Sunny, then rain

In the West Orange County area, you can have it both ways this week. The forecast calls for sunny skies on Tuesday, with a daytime high of 72 and an overnight low 53. But that will all change on Wednesday, when rain is expected in the morning and the daytime high is expected to drop to 60 (48). Thursday will be similar with morning light rain. Friday should be partly cloudy with a high go 65 (47). Sunny skies should resume on Saturday.