WAYNESBORO, Va. — A 19-year-old man is dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after forcing his way into a Waynesboro school Wednesday morning, police report.
According to Waynesboro Police Chief David Shaw, authorities received reports of a suspicious individual in the area of Westwood Hills Elementary School just after 9 a.m.
The man, later identified as Anthony I. Ignatadis-Isabelle, 19, reportedly forced his way into the school through a locked door.
He was later found dead in the library, Shaw said.
Another staff member also suffered a non-life-threatening gunshot wound and has now been released from a local hospital.
WATCH: Waynesboro Police Chief provides info on response, suspect
Waynesboro Police Chief provides info on response, suspect
According to Shaw, police responded to the school within three minutes of the initial call. The library was unoccupied at the time.
The school will remain closed Thursday, and increased police presence will be active at Waynesboro schools through the end of the week.
“We recognize how frightening an incident like this is for students, parents, staff and the entire Waynesboro community,” said Superintendent Jeffrey Cassell. “We are extremely grateful for the immediate response of school officials, school staff and the coordinated response of the Waynesboro Police Department, Augusta County Sheriff’s Office, Virginia State Police and our other local, state, and federal law enforcement departments.”
WATCH: Waynesboro Public Schools Superintendent: ‘Today is the day every school system hope they never have to deal with’
Waynesboro Public Schools Superintendent: ‘Today is the day every school system hope they never have to deal with’
Cassell thanked those agencies involved in the response, students and their families, and Westminster Presbyterian Church, which served as reunification site. All Westwood Hills students, teachers and staff have have been accounted for and are safe.
Families were directed to gather in the lower fellowship hall and enter through doors marked “ENTRY.”
Police urged families not to return to Westwood Hills Elementary School and asked community members to remain patient and follow instructions from law enforcement and school personnel during the reunification process.
Cassell did confirm that students Westwood Hills Elementary had performed two lockdown drills in the past 20 days, and that the suspect did not attend any school in the district.
WATCH: Superintendent: School did perform lockdown drills, suspect was never a student
Superintendent: School did perform lockdown drills, suspect was never a student
As a precaution, all other Waynesboro Public Schools were placed on lockdown Wednesday.
Gov. Abigail Spanberger said that she was monitoring the situation.
“My heart is with these young students, their parents and families, and the teachers and staff at the school,” Spanberger said in a statement. “Thank you to the first responders who are assisting at the scene.”
She added that Augusta County and Waynesboro law enforcement officials, along with school leaders, would continue providing updates to the community.
The incident remains under investigation.
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