A 19-year-old gunman entered a Virginia elementary school Wednesday morning, injuring an adult staff member before turning the gun on himself, authorities said. The incident occurred at Westwood Hills Elementary School in Waynesboro, about 30 miles west of Charlottesville.
The gunman, identified as Anthony Ignatiadis-Isabelle, was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound inside the school library, according to Waynesboro Police Chief David Shaw. No students were in the library at the time, and all students and staff members were reported safe.
Jeffrey Cassell, superintendent of Waynesboro Public Schools, credited the school's lockdown procedures and training for preventing a more tragic outcome. "Our safety and security protocols and procedures worked," Cassell said during a press conference. "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, visibly emotional, added, "If you don't get emotional today, you never will. Today is the day every school system hopes they never have to deal with. Please hug your children and your families this evening."
The injured staff member, whose identity has not been released, suffered a non-life-threatening gunshot wound and was treated and released from a hospital. Authorities did not disclose a possible motive, the type of weapon used, or whether the gunman had any connection to the injured staff member. Police emphasized that the investigation remains active and ongoing.
Cassell noted that Ignatiadis-Isabelle had not attended any school in the district. The last school shooting in Virginia occurred on Aug. 15 at Virginia State University in Chesterfield County, where five students were injured and a 19-year-old suspect was arrested.