Virginia Elementary School Evacuated After Reported Shooting

Virginia Elementary School Evacuated After Reported Shooting

The News

Police, the FBI and the ATF responded to a reported shooting at Westwood Hills Elementary School in Waynesboro, Virginia, on Wednesday morning, and the building was evacuated.

The Augusta County Sheriff's Office said the incident was contained and the school secured, and that all students were safe.

WJLA reported that one person was injured, citing sources. Authorities had not publicly confirmed any injuries as of Wednesday afternoon.

Timeline

Wednesday morning, September 2

Waynesboro police respond to an emergency at Westwood Hills Elementary School. Students, teachers and staff are evacuated from the building.

About 10:23 a.m.

The Augusta County Sheriff's Office says the incident is contained and the school is secured, and that all students are safe.

Mid-morning

ATF Washington confirms it is "responding to a reported shooting incident" at the school, according to the New York Post. Federal agents arrive on scene, with officers seen carrying rifles and wearing vests. Other schools in the area are placed on lockdown.

Students are bused to the fellowship hall of Westminster Presbyterian Church on Mt. Vernon Street to be reunited with their families. Police ask the public to stay away from the school so emergency vehicles and buses are not blocked.

Reactions

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger said she was aware of the incident and monitoring the situation, and voiced support for the affected families and school staff.

The Augusta County Sheriff's Office told the public the scene was "contained and secured."

Coverage split on what happened. The New York Post reported the ATF's confirmation of a reported shooting incident and WJLA reported one person injured; other outlets, including USA Today and The Independent's initial report, described only a police response to an unspecified emergency at the school.

What's Next

Waynesboro police had not released further details as of Wednesday, including what triggered the response, whether anyone was hurt, and whether anyone is in custody.

Reunification of students with parents was underway at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Officials have not said when classes will resume at Westwood Hills or when nearby schools will come off lockdown.

More

Waynesboro is a small city in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, roughly 96 miles northwest of Richmond.

This is a developing story. The Frank will update it as authorities confirm details.

Colleges Condemn Students Mocking Kirk Assassination Anniversary

Charleston White Arrested Again on Florida Battery Charge

Border Patrol Rescues MS NOW Crew in Desert

Supreme Court Restores Missouri's Old House Map

Alaska Drops Felony Voter Charges Against Samoans

Trespasser Breaches Harris' Malibu Estate; No Arrest

Hegseth Pressed Downed Airmen Into 60 Minutes

Houthis Seize Mokha, Choking Saudi Oil Exports

Altman Rules Out OpenAI IPO This Year

Jury Acquits Lil Durk in Murder-for-Hire Case

Judge: Trump Broke Law Halving FEMA Staff

Maher Calls Democrats' Gaza Genocide Claim a Lie

Blizzard Revives StarCraft, Sends Diablo to Netflix

Trump's Queens Childhood Home Sells for $1.93M

Scientists Find New Virus in Tick Invading US

Britain Bans Settlement Imports; US States Threaten Payback

Prison Fire Kills 7 as Kurds Protest Killing

Kosovo Rallies for Ex-President Before Hague Verdict

Cruz Booed at GameDay Over College Sports Bill

Blast Hits Bulgarian Arms Plant Supplying Ukraine