Gunman in Virginia School Shooting Was Not a Student, Officials Say

A 19-year-old man forced his way into a Virginia elementary school on Wednesday morning, shot and wounded a staff member, and then died by suicide, authorities said.

Waynesboro Public Schools Superintendent Jeffrey Cassell confirmed that the suspect, identified as Anthony Ignatiadis-Isabelle, was not a student in the district and had never attended Waynesboro High School.

Police Chief David Shaw said officers found Ignatiadis-Isabelle dead inside the library of Westwood Hills Elementary School. An adult staff member was shot but has been released from the hospital. No children were in the library at the time of the incident.

Officers responded within three minutes of the initial call, Shaw said. Authorities have not disclosed whether the suspect knew the victim or had any connection to the school.

Cassell praised the response of school staff and law enforcement, saying safety protocols worked as designed. "Every student and staff member is safe and returned home to their families," he said, urging families to hug their children.

Westwood Hills Elementary will remain closed on Thursday, with the district communicating directly with families about resources and operations. Waynesboro is located about 96 miles northwest of Richmond.