Apalachee High School shooting victim looks forward to going back to school

BARROW COUNTY, Georgia. – We hear from one of the victims of the Apalachee school massacre after she and her family spoke privately with Vice President Kamala Harris this week.

Natalie Griffith, 15, says she is excited to go back to school in Apalachee this week.

“I want to get back to the marching band and making music and move on with my life,” Natalie said.

“I’m really good. Sure, I can’t crochet or play the flute, but I still do the things I enjoy,” she added.

Natalie is one of nine people injured when 14-year-old Colt Gray opened fire at Apalachee High School on September 4. Two students and two teachers were killed. Natalie was in math class when she heard gunshots.

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“I didn’t know it was a gunshot and at first I thought it was a bang against one of the lockers and it was a fight. And then I just heard this bop bop and then I looked at the floor and my hands were bloody and felt numb,” Natalie said.

Paramedics took her to the hospital. She had gunshot wounds to her arm, wrist and chest. She said she was shot from behind.

“The next thing I know is I’m looking into my classroom and there’s blood everywhere,” she explained.

Natalie said she knew the two students who lost their lives.

“Christian and I always sat together in the back of the bus and I went to elementary school with Mason. He loved everyone. He was a really nice kid and so was Christian,” she explained.

Last week, Natalie and her parents traveled to Michigan to attend a town hall meeting with Oprah and Vice President Kamala Harris. Harris also met privately with the family. Natalie’s mother, Marilda, is determined to fight for change to prevent shootings like this one.

“I want to raise awareness and make sure everyone is listening. Let’s do everything we can to stop it,” said Marilda Griffith.

The Griffiths say the support of the community has helped them get through it all. Many joined the family in prayer on Sunday, sent donations and visited Natalie while she was in the hospital.

“I’m really grateful and it reminded me of what a community this is,” Natalie said.

There are still several active GoFundMe accounts for all the victims of this school shooting.