School Emergency Contained
Westwood Hills Elementary Emergency Contained With Students Safely Reuniting With Families
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ABC News reported that at least one person was injured during the Westwood Hills Elementary incident, though officials indicated there was no ongoing threat.
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Reunification is set to occur at Westminster Presbyterian Church on Mt. Vernon Street, with families directed to reunions in the church's lower fellowship hall to pick up Westwood students.
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Authorities described the situation as contained and secured with a large police presence and coordination between the Waynesboro Police Department and the Augusta County Sheriff's Office.
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By 10:23 a.m. the Augusta County Sheriff's Office reported the incident was contained and secured, and by about 12:30 p.m. the school lockdowns had been lifted and Westwood students were being released to guardians.
Westwood Hills Elementary School in Waynesboro, Virginia, was evacuated Thursday after a former student forced entry and opened fire, injuring at least one staff member before taking his own life. ABC News reported the incident as contained by mid-morning, with all students, teachers, and staff accounted for and safely evacuated to a staging area.
By 10:23 a.m., the Waynesboro Police Department and Augusta County Sheriff's Office confirmed the threat was secured. Reunification began at Westminster Presbyterian Church on Mt. Vernon Street, where families picked up students from the lower fellowship hall. School lockdowns across the county were lifted by approximately 12:30 p.m. as reunification continued.
Former Student Opens Fire, Then Takes His Own Life
WHSV and 12 on Your Side reported that the shooter was Anthony Ignatiadis-Isabelle, 19, of Waynesboro, a former student at both Westwood Hills Elementary and Kate Collins Middle School. He forced entry into the school and fired at least one shot, striking a staff member. He was not an active threat for long—he died by suicide at the scene.
Rapid Police Response Contained the Scene
Law enforcement arrived quickly and secured the building. DNR Online noted that police coordinated with school officials to evacuate all students and staff to safety. The Waynesboro Police Department and Augusta County Sheriff's Office worked together to clear the school and confirm no ongoing threat existed.
By mid-morning, officials reported the incident was fully contained. No additional injuries beyond the one staff member shot were reported. The swift response prevented what could have been a far more serious tragedy.
Students Reunified With Families by Early Afternoon
School officials directed families to Westminster Presbyterian Church to pick up their children. The reunification process took place in the church's lower fellowship hall, where guardians had to verify their relationship to students before taking them home. This phased approach ensured each child went only to authorized adults.
By 12:30 p.m., the Augusta County Sheriff's Office lifted lockdowns at other schools in the area and began releasing Westwood students to their families. Augusta Free Press reported that Westwood Hills Elementary would remain closed Friday and the following Tuesday after the Labor Day weekend as the school community processed the tragedy.
School Closures Extended for Counseling and Investigation
Westwood Hills Elementary announced it would close through the following week to give students, staff, and families time to recover. School officials acknowledged the trauma and committed to providing support resources. Augusta Free Press reported that Assistant Superintendent Ryan Barber confirmed the extended closure.
The investigation into what led the 19-year-old to enter the school and open fire continued. Authorities worked to understand whether there were warning signs or threats made before Thursday. The community faced difficult questions about how to move forward and prevent similar incidents.
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