To open his Thursday press conference, Alabama coach Nick Saban took time to address a non-football topic. Speaking to reporters, Saban paid his respects to the victims of the fatal shooting at recent The Covenant School in Nashville, Tenn.

“There are things that happen in the world that you know are very tragic,” Saban said. “Obviously, the shooting in Nashville is a very tragic situation. Horrifying that those types of things happen. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families that lost loved ones. A lot of gratitude out for the police and the public servants who tried to control the situation and put themselves in harm’s way to make sure that not more people got hurt.”

Six people were killed in the Monday shooting, including three students and three staff members of the Christian private school, per the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department: Evelyn Dieckhaus, 9; Mike Hill, 61; Katherine Koonce, 60; Cynthia Peak, 61; Hallie Scruggs, 9.

Officers killed the 28-year-old assailant and the department released the body camera footage shortly after.

Community leaders have held vigils for the victims in the days following the shooting.

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Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].