A 19-year-old gunman entered Westwood Hills Elementary School in Waynesboro, Virginia, on Wednesday morning, injuring one adult staff member before dying from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities reported.
The suspect, identified as Anthony Ignatiadis-Isabelle, was found deceased in the school's library. No students were present in the library at the time of the incident. The injured staff member sustained a non-life-threatening gunshot wound and was treated and released from the hospital.
Waynesboro Public Schools Superintendent Jeffrey Cassell stated that the school's safety protocols and procedures were effective. "Staff notified law enforcement immediately, and our school executed lockdown procedures. Every student and staff member is safe and returned home to their families," Cassell said during a press conference. He described the event as a moment every school system hopes to avoid and urged parents to "hug your children and your families this evening."
Officials confirmed that Ignatiadis-Isabelle had not attended any schools within the district. Details regarding a motive for the incident, the type of weapon used, or any connection between the gunman and the injured staff member have not yet been released as the investigation is ongoing.
The Waynesboro Police Department emphasized that the investigation is active and continuing. This incident occurred approximately 30 miles west of Charlottesville.