Teen suspect dies after self-inflicted gunshot at Waynesboro elementary school
A 19-year-old who forced his way into Westwood Hills Elementary in Waynesboro was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot, and a staff member was treated for a non-life-threatening wound.
Waynesboro Police responded to reports of a suspicious individual near Westwood Hills Elementary School just after 9 a.m. on Wednesday. The 19-year-old suspect, identified as Anthony I. Ignatadis-Isabelle, forced entry through a locked door and was later discovered dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in the school library, police chief David Shaw said. A staff member who was shot sustained a non-life-threatening injury and has been released from the hospital.
Police arrived at the scene within three minutes, and the library was unoccupied at the time of the shooting. All Westwood Hills students, teachers and staff have been accounted for and are safe. The school will remain closed on Thursday, and a heightened police presence will continue at Waynesboro schools through the end of the week.
Superintendent Jeffrey Cassell thanked law-enforcement agencies, school personnel and community volunteers for their coordinated response, and noted that the district had conducted two lockdown drills in the previous 20 days. He also confirmed that the suspect was not a student in the district.
Governor Abigail Spanberger said she was monitoring the situation and expressed sympathy for the students, families and staff, adding that first responders were thanked for their assistance. The incident remains under investigation.