Waynesboro School Intruder Found Dead, Staff Member Hurt

State of VA - Waynesboro Police got a call around 9:12 a.m. today, Sept. 2, 2026, about a suspicious person on the property of Westwood Hills Elementary School. The school sits at 548 Rosser Avenue in Waynesboro, Virginia.

Police say a 19 year old man forced his way inside the building. That man has been identified as Anthony I. Ignatiadis-Isabelle of Waynesboro, Virginia.

Officers arrived within minutes of the call and went straight into the school. They found Ignatiadis-Isabelle inside the library, dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

No students were in the library when this happened. From the moment the call came in to the moment officers found him, only about three minutes passed.

One adult staff member was shot during the incident. Their injury was not life-threatening, and they have already been treated and released from hospital care.

Police say the investigation is still open and active. They plan to share more details once those details are confirmed.

Because of the incident, Westwood Hills Elementary School will stay closed on Thursday, September 3, 2026. Waynesboro Public Schools said it will contact families directly with updates and information on any support resources.

Officials praised how quickly staff and law enforcement responded. Agencies involved included the Waynesboro Police Department, the Augusta County Sheriff's Office, Virginia State Police, and several other local, state, and federal partners.

Investigators say some details cannot be released yet while the case is ongoing. They say they will continue releasing verified information as it becomes available.

Dr. Jeffrey Cassel, Superintendent of Waynesboro Public Schools, released this statement: "Today is the day every school system hopes they never have to deal with. I need to praise the response of our staff and the Waynesboro Police Department, Augusta County Sheriff's Office, Virginia State Police, and our other local, state, and federal partners. 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."

Note: Press Conference Video Is Attached Below