LURAY, Va. — Page County Public Schools placed all of its schools under a precautionary low-level lockdown Wednesday after a shooting at an elementary school in Waynesboro left a staff member wounded and the 19-year-old suspected gunman dead.
Page County school officials said the lockdown was implemented “out of an abundance of caution” after the division was notified of a law enforcement and safety concern in the Waynesboro area.
Officials stressed that there was no known threat directed at any Page County school.
The precaution was later lifted after law enforcement reviewed the concern and advised school officials that the additional security measures were no longer necessary.
All Page County schools returned to normal operations, and activities were allowed to resume as planned.
During the low-level lockdown, classes and other operations continued normally inside Page County schools, but exterior doors remained secured, access to buildings was limited and outside activities were restricted.
School administrators and school resource officers monitored the situation and remained in contact with law enforcement.
The precautions followed a shooting Wednesday morning at Westwood Hills Elementary School in Waynesboro.
Waynesboro police said officers were notified at approximately 9:12 a.m. of a suspicious person on the grounds of the school.
Police identified the person as Anthony J. Ignatiadis-Isabelle, 19, of Waynesboro in Augusta County.
According to police, Ignatiadis-Isabelle forced his way into the school.
Law enforcement officers responded within minutes and immediately entered the building.
Police said officers found Ignatiadis-Isabelle dead in the school library from what authorities described as a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
No students were in the library at the time.
One adult staff member suffered a gunshot wound that police described as non-life-threatening. The staff member was treated and released.
Police said approximately three minutes elapsed between the initial call and officers locating the suspect.
Waynesboro Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Cassel said the school’s safety and security procedures worked as intended, with staff immediately notifying law enforcement and initiating lockdown procedures.
“Every student and staff member is safe and returned home to their families,” Cassel said.
The Waynesboro Police Department, Augusta County Sheriff’s Office, Virginia State Police and other local, state and federal law enforcement agencies were involved in the response.
Westwood Hills Elementary School will be closed Thursday. Waynesboro school officials said they will communicate directly with families about available resources and any additional information concerning school operations.
The shooting remains under investigation, and authorities said additional information will be released as it is confirmed.
In Page County, Superintendent Dr. Bryan Huber thanked students, staff, families and local law enforcement for their cooperation during the precautionary lockdown.
“The safety of our students and staff remains our highest priority,” Huber said.