Waynesboro Elementary School Shooting Leaves Staff Member Injured, Suspect Dead

A 19-year-old identified as Anthony I. Ignatiadis-Isabelle forced his way into Westwood Hills Elementary School in Waynesboro, Virginia on Wednesday morning at 9:12 a.m. and shot a staff member before fatally shooting himself inside the school library. Law enforcement arrived within three minutes. No students were in the library at the time, and the injured staff member was treated and released. The school remains closed Thursday as the investigation continues.

How the shooting unfolded

Waynesboro Police Chief David Shaw said officers received a call about a suspicious person on campus grounds at 9:12 a.m. on September 2. Ignatiadis-Isabelle, 19, of Waynesboro, forced entry into the building. Police responded immediately and found him dead in the school library from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. About three minutes passed between the initial call and officers locating the suspect.

One adult staff member sustained a non-life-threatening gunshot wound and was transported for emergency treatment. The staff member has since been released. No students were injured. Shaw confirmed Ignatiadis-Isabelle was not a current or former student in the district.

School response and reunification

Westwood Hills Elementary immediately activated its lockdown procedures when staff learned of the threat. Superintendent Jeffrey Cassell said the school’s safety protocols worked as intended. Students were reunited with families at Westminster Presbyterian Church around noon after the lockdown was lifted.

Cassell noted that two lockdown drills had been conducted at the school in the 20 days since the start of the school year. He stated, “Our safety and security protocols and procedures worked. Staff notified law enforcement immediately, and our school executed our lockdown procedures. Every student and staff member is safe and returned home to their families.”

School closure and law enforcement presence

Westwood Hills Elementary School will remain closed Thursday, September 3. Waynesboro Public Schools will communicate directly with families about available resources and changes to school operations.

Waynesboro Police Chief Shaw said additional law enforcement will be present at all city public schools for the remainder of the week as a precaution, not because there is an ongoing threat. The incident remains under active investigation by local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.

Community support and resources

Waynesboro Public Schools Superintendent Cassell expressed gratitude to parents, guardians, and families for their cooperation during the reunification process. He acknowledged the emotional toll of the incident on the community. Local organizations in the area, including the ARROW Project in Staunton, are offering counseling and support services to students and families affected by the shooting.

Final Thoughts

The swift response by school staff and law enforcement prevented further casualties at Westwood Hills Elementary. With the school closed Thursday and heightened security measures in place through the week, Waynesboro officials are focused on supporting the community and continuing the investigation.

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