In a heartbreaking turn of events, family members of students and staff at Apalachee High School found themselves in a state of panic as they desperately called 911 for information following a mass shooting incident on September 4. Recently released audio recordings shed light on the chaotic scenes that unfolded on that fateful day, as callers sought answers about the safety of their loved ones.

The 911 call center in Barrow County was inundated with calls as the shooting began around 10:20 a.m., allegedly perpetrated by 14-year-old Colt Gray. Some callers were met with an automated message notifying them of the high call volume, highlighting the sheer magnitude of the situation. The audio recordings, reviewed by USA TODAY, captured the fear and concern in one caller's voice as they asked if there was a school shooter at Apalachee High School.

With a calm demeanor, a 911 operator assured the anxious caller, stating that there was indeed an active situation at the school and that authorities were already on the scene. The overwhelming nature of the incident was evident in the numerous calls flooding in, indicating the extent of the community's distress.

Further audio releases included communications between responding officers as they cleared classrooms and discovered injured and deceased victims. In one chilling recording, an officer can be heard describing their efforts to apply a tourniquet to a female victim. The urgency in their voice reflected the critical need to get her immediate medical attention, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

While Barrow County officials confirmed the release of these 911 audio recordings, they advised that certain calls containing the voices or cries of children may be exempt from becoming public records. This exception aims to safeguard the privacy and well-being of minors affected by such traumatic incidents.

The calls paint a stark picture of the terror and helplessness experienced by those seeking information about their loved ones. One concerned father, whose daughter worked as a school psychologist at Apalachee, detailed how she tried to protect herself and a student in a nearby trailer but expressed concern over being unable to lock the door. He urgently requested that authorities check the trailers in hopes of ensuring her safety.

Over an hour after the shooting had commenced, a devastating call came in from a woman who identified herself as Gray's aunt, reaching out from Florida. Through tearful words, she relayed the disturbing information that Gray had texted his parents, expressing remorse. Concerned, they had immediately contacted the school counselor, fearing that he may have been involved in the shooting.

These newly revealed 911 calls provide a glimpse into the emotional turmoil experienced by individuals attempting to gather information amidst the chaos of the situation. The release of these distressing recordings coincides with ongoing memorial services for the victims, scheduled to take place on Saturday.