A gunman forced his way into Westwood Hills Elementary School in Waynesboro, Virginia, on Wednesday, injuring a staff member before dying from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities said.
The suspect, identified as 19-year-old Anthony Ignatiadis-Isabelle, was found dead in the school's library. Police Chief David Shaw stated that no students were believed to be in the library at the time.
School staff alerted police to a suspicious individual on the grounds around 9:12 a.m. Wednesday. The school, which was in session, immediately implemented lockdown procedures, according to Shaw. Upon arrival, police discovered the suspect deceased.
The injured staff member sustained a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. The individual received treatment and has since been released, Shaw confirmed.
Superintendent Jeffrey Cassell stated that Ignatiadis-Isabelle was not a student within the Waynesboro Public Schools district. Cassell did not provide details regarding a motive for the incident or the suspect's connection to the school or victim.
"Today is the day every school system hopes they never have to deal with," Cassell said during a press briefing, praising the coordinated response of law enforcement and school personnel. He affirmed that the school's safety protocols functioned as intended, with staff notifying authorities promptly and the school executing its lockdown procedures. Cassell added that all students and staff were accounted for and safe.
The shooting remains under investigation by authorities.