The Waynesboro Police Department released more details about the Sept. 2 shooting at Waynesboro's Westwood Hills Elementary School.
The suspect Anthony I. Ignatiadis-Isabelle, 19, took his own life with a self-inflicted gunshot wound after injuring one staff member at the school, according to the Waynesboro Police Department Friday evening.
The police department said that, since Wednesday morning, they have been working with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners "to collect and analyze evidence, gather information, conduct interviews, and complete numerous follow-ups, all while maintaining existing service levels for traditional community needs and law enforcement-requested responses."
According to new information provided by the police, the suspect drove to the area near the school, parking at Ridgeview Park which is directly behind Westwood Hills. Police said that Ignatiadis-Isabelle walked to the school property and forced his way in by shooting through a rear door and breaking through it.
He was armed with a 20-gauge shotgun, per police.
"At this time, there is no evidence that anyone else was directly involved in Wednesday's incident or that any other parties, co-conspirators, or others besides the suspect were at or near the school at the time to commit violence," the police department said. "The suspect appears to have acted alone, although further investigation may reveal information that changes this stance."
The department is still working to confirm the suspect's activity, motive, and actions leading up to and during the event, a release said.
"There is no connection or relationship between the suspect and the staff member who was injured," per police.
School Resource Officers were among the first officers to respond to the school. They arrived about a minute and thirty seconds after the initial notification, police said.
"The quick-thinking and heroic actions of Westwood Hills staff in initiating lockdown procedures upon immediate notification on Wednesday morning undoubtedly saved lives," said the release. "Combined with the quick response by law enforcement, everything further minimized the opportunity for the suspect to commit any further violence."
Police said there will be a continued increase in the presence of law enforcement officers in and around Waynesboro schools through the weekend and into next week, when everyone returns to the classrooms after the Labor Day holiday weekend.
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"No active threats are driving this activity," the release said. "This is a proactive, support-focused initiative."
The investigation remains active and ongoing at all levels.
Waynesboro Public Schools has created a website titled "Westwood Hills Elementary School Recovery and Return Information and Resources."
"This site is intended to provide families, staff, and community members with the most current information and resources available as we move forward together," said Ryan Barber, assistant superintendent of the school division. "We recognize that we do not yet have all of the answers and that no amount of information can fully ease the concerns and emotions surrounding this situation. We are committed, however, to communicating openly and keeping this website updated as additional information becomes available."
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Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips are always welcome. Connect with Patrick (he/him/his) at [email protected], on Instagram @hitepatrick and on TikTok @patrickfhite. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com.
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Ignatiadis-Isabelle shot through Westwood Hills' rear door, say police