A 19-year-old gunman forced his way into a Virginia elementary school Wednesday morning and shot and wounded a staff member before killing himself, authorities said.
Officers found Anthony Ignatiadis-Isabelle dead inside the Westwood Hills Elementary School library after responding to a report of a suspicious person, Waynesboro Police Chief David Shaw said during a news conference. Shaw said an adult staff member suffered a gunshot wound but has been
released from the hospital.
Authorities did not say whether Ignatiadis-Isabelle, of Waynesboro, knew the victim or whether he had any connection to the school. Shaw said no children were inside the library at the time, and that officers responded within three minutes of getting the initial call.
“Our safety and security protocols and procedures worked,” said Waynesboro Public Schools Superintendent Jeffrey Cassell. “Every student and staff member is safe and returned home to their families. Please hug your children and your families this evening.”
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger said 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 on social media. “Thank you to the first responders who are assisting at the scene.”
Waynesboro is about 96 miles (155 km) northwest of Richmond.
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Sarah Rankin in Richmond, Virginia, and John Raby in Charleston, West Virginia, contributed to this report.
