‘She loved life’: Friends, family of the Apalachee school shooting victims mourn, raise funds

Two people stand in front of a flag pole with flowers at the bottom in mourning.
Residents of Winder, Georgia, pay their respects to those who died in the shooting at Apalachee High School on Sept. 4, 2024. (Marlon Hyde/WABE)

This story was updated at 2:23 p.m.

The shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, left students, teachers and parents in mourning — especially those who knew the four people who lost their lives Wednesday.

Freshman Ester Matias, who was dropping off flowers at the school in honor of the victims, said math teacher Cristina Irimie died while protecting a student.