WINDER, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 5: Students kneel in front of a makeshift memorial in front of Apalachee High School on September 5, 2024 in Winder, Georgia. Two students and two teachers were shot and killed at the school on September 4, and a 14-year-old suspect, who is a student at the school, is in custody. (Photo by Jessica McGowan/Getty Images)
(Jessica McGowan/Getty Images)

‘We did not deserve to go through that’: Apalachee High School students speak out

The school year just started, and already, another mass shooting has occurred on a high school campus. This time, two students and two teachers were murdered and nine more were injured at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia.

Recommended Videos

The most frustrating thing about this is how sure I am that this is not the last shooting we will see this year.

When Columbine happened, I was a teen in high school and it seemed so senseless then. I had no idea what a prolific problem this type of incident would become. I had no idea that this country would continue to let this happen over and over again without doing a single thing to make going to school safer.

The one thing students have today that we didn’t have back then is social media. Over the past few days, Apalachee High School students have been making diary-like videos talking about their experience being at school during the shooting.

These students are using their voices to spread awareness

“Am I going to be able to tell my parents that I love them?”

“I was in the hallway and he was right there next to me.”

@brennen585

this is my story ik it doesn’t sound that bad i just cant gather my words i still font think this is real prayers for the school and familys #apalacheestrong #forevermissedneverforgotten #fyp #apalacheenation #fypage #pray #spreadawareness

♬ original sound – brennen

“If he wanted to run the other way after he shot those two teachers and two students, I was next.”

@nicks.wrld102

My story about the Apalachee shooting of sep. 4th 2024 this vid was unusually hard to make #apalachee #apalacheeshooting #apalacheestrong

♬ Comforting – Noah

“I’m just angry and there needs to be some justice.”

“Somebody just started banging on the door.”

“I turned to my left and I see this guy holding a gun.”

Teachers shouldn’t have to go through this either

This student thanks her teachers for protecting her.

“If you’re in a school shooting, make sure that you have lollipops.”

What people should know about working with kids is how hyper-aware you become of your surroundings. You begin to notice where all the exits are, all the places to hide, all the corners where you should never get stuck because you’ll never make it out. When something like this happens anywhere to anyone, it sends a chill down your spine because you constantly think about what would happen if something like this occurred where you work and you were the adult in the room. It’s terrifying because despite being told you are only responsible for getting yourself out alive, anyone who works with kids knows exactly what they would do to protect them.

Isn’t it enough already?

These are just a handful of witness accounts of what happened at Apalachee High School. There are more videos like this with students telling their stories, expressing their fears, and leaning on each other. There are other videos that were filmed at the time of the shooting with kids crying in the dark, comforting each other. We’ll spare you those, but this is heartbreaking and we shouldn’t have to keep doing this.

Here are some numbers to be aware of:
• There have been 385 mass shootings in the U.S. so far in 2024.
• So far this year, there have been 139 incidents of gunfire on school grounds.
• From 2000 – 2022, there were 328 casualties in active shooter incidents in primary and secondary school settings.
• Since 2020, the number of school shooting incidents has increased by 200%.
• There are 535 adults who can take action to make students safer and have not done so.
• There are 468 congressional seats up for grabs in the 2024 election.

We have two months to figure out who plans to do something to combat this issue. It’s imperative that we get those people elected in November, and show these kids that this isn’t a hopeless situation.


The Mary Sue is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy
Author
Image of Lauren Salerno
Lauren Salerno
Lauren Salerno is a contributing writer at The Mary Sue. She is a literary citizen of Los Angeles and has been involved with such projects as the Shades & Shadows Reading Series, the Omega Sci-Fi Project, and The Seers' Table column of the Horror Writers Association blog. Some of her words can be found in places like the Los Angeles Times, the Office of Intellectual Freedom Blog, and The Rattling Wall. She holds a Master's Degree in Library and Information Science and stays up late at night skimming digital archives for fun. There is a special place in her heart for horror, Star Wars, and reality television. She can frequently be found haunting the halls of convention centers, perhaps moderating a panel or two. Follow her on most social media channels: @paranormalauren.