President Biden has laughed off a question from a reporter about whether the shooter at a Christian elementary school in Nashville was targeting people of faith.

When asked whether Audrey Hale, who was transgender, was specifically targeting Christians, the President said he had “no idea.”

After being told that Republican Senator Josh Hawley believed the attack was targeting Christian believers, the President said: “Well I probably don’t then.”

The 80 year old then chuckled and added: “No, I’m joking. No, I have no idea.”

Three children and three adults were killed in the attack at the Covenant School in Tennessee on Monday. Hale, a former pupil was shot dead by police after the attack.   

Senator Hawley has called for the attack to be investigated as a hate crime against Christian believers. He’s urging the US government to use its full resources to "condemn" violence and "prosecute" hate crimes.

Police have not yet determined a motive for the shooting but said the attack had been methodically planned and suggested Hale may have harboured resentment towards the school.