Georgia high school student recalls holding hands and praying while hearing 'gunshots and people screaming'

A student has spoken out about the moment they heard gunshots outside their classroom during the Georgia high school shooting.

Yesterday (September 4), gunshots sounded around Apalachee High School in Winder, Barrow County.

Four people - 14-year-old pupils Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo and teachers Christina Irimie and Richard Aspinwall - were killed, while nine others were injured.

Police received reports of an active shooter at the school at around 10:20am.

Local sheriff Jud Smith said in a news conference: "Within minutes law enforcement was on scene, as well as two school resource officers assigned to the school who immediately encountered the subject."

He then described the moment they arrested the person responsible, saying: "The subject immediately surrendered. He gave up, got on the ground. And the officers took him into custody."

The suspect arrested has since been named as 14-year-old Colt Gray, with it being confirmed he is a student at the high school. He is set to be tried as an adult.

Now, in the aftermath of the tragedy, a 14-year-old student has opened up about what they experienced during the shooting.

Four people have been killed and nine injured at a school shooting in Georgia (Peter Zay/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Macey Right told CNN: "I heard gunshots outside my classroom and people screaming, people begging not to get shot, and then people sitting beside me just shaking and crying."

The teenager reached for the hands of a group of girls around her and they sat together to pray.

She also sent a text to her mom, Dr Anetra Pattman, which read: "Mom, I’m scared. I hear gunshots. Please come get me."

Dr Pattman told the outlet: "Once it was confirmed from [the principal] that yes there was an active shooter, my main thing was to keep in contact with my daughter. I told her no matter what you do keep texting me, just text me, just text me, to let me know that you’re OK."

School district officials have since announced all schools in the county will be closed for the rest of the week. However, Macey has concerns.

All schools in the county have been closed for the week (Peter Zay/Anadolu via Getty Images)

She said: "I really don’t want to go back; I feel like I shouldn’t have to go back to school worrying about dying.

"I want to go to school worrying about what my GPA is going to be when my year is over and worrying about my career."

Sheriff Smith has appealed to members of the public for information as the investigation continues, stating: "If anyone has any information that wants to be passed on concerning this investigation they can do that anonymously at our tip line at 1 800 597 TIPS or 1 800 597 8477. They can also report this by downloading the 'See Something Say Something' app."

If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact The Compassionate Friends on (877) 969-0010.

Alternatively, if you have been affected by the contents of this article, please find more information and support via Survivors Empowered on their website.