First report: Wednesday, 9:49 a.m. There is a major police presence at Westwood Hills Elementary School in Waynesboro.
At this time, details are scarce. However, there are unconfirmed reports that there is an active shooter at the school.
There are numerous police vehicles and ambulances on site. Witnesses report more than 20 officers at the Rosser Avenue school with rifles drawn.
The elementary school is reportedly on lockdown.
There are reports of at least one victim with non-life-threatening injuries. The incident may have started in the school’s library.
There has been no official release from the Waynesboro Police Department or Waynesboro Public Schools.
Update: Wednesday, 10:05 a.m. Students are being evacuated to a local church, according to one source, and other local schools are on lockdown as a precaution.
The suspect has allegedly been “contained.”
According to the source, approximately 20 SWAT officers from the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.
Update: Wednesday, 10:15 a.m. Waynesboro Public Schools has released a statement acknowledging an “emergency” at Westwood Hills Elementary School.
“The school division will conduct a reunification of students and families at Westminister Presbyterian Church located at 1904 Mt. Vernon Street in Waynesboro. Families are staging in the lower fellowship hall. Please enter where the signs say entry.”
Update: Wednesday, 10:29 a.m. The Augusta County Sheriff’s Office is reporting that the “incident” at Westwood Hills Elementary School is “contained and secured at this time.”
“The children are safe and are being evacuated from the school. Please wait for notification and instruction from Waynesboro Public Schools. Please DO NOT respond to the school we need access for the buses and emergency vehicles.”
Update: Wednesday, 10:51 a.m. A statement from the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office reports that there continues to be an active law enforcement response at Westwood Hills Elementary School.
At this time, all students, teachers and staff have been safely evacuated from the school and are at a designated staging area with law enforcement.
Law enforcement personnel are actively working the scene and conducting a thorough clearance of the school. The reunification process, through which students will be released to their parents or authorized guardians, will begin as soon as it is safe and logistically possible.
Additional instructions and information regarding the reunification process will be released as soon as it becomes available.
For the safety of students, families, school personnel, and first responders, the public is asked to continue avoiding the immediate area until further notice.
Update: Wednesday, 11:17 a.m. A notice from the Waynesboro Department of Parks and Recreation tells us that Ridgeview Park, which is located directly behind Westwood Hills Elementary School, has been closed “until further notice.”
Update: Wednesday, 12:30 p.m. Lots of rumors flying around, and what we can tell you is, none of them are panning out.
Beware what you’re reading on social media, is the best advice here.
We’ve seen names thrown out on social media; we’ve checked, and the names of those said to be involved are not accurate.
It’s hard to do, in a news vacuum, but: take a breather.
What we know at this stage is what we know: police and school officials evacuated students to the nearby church.
We don’t want to fuel the rumor mill, so, we’re refraining.
Update: Wednesday, 12:36 p.m. Waynesboro Public Schools has lifted lockdowns that had been in place at all six city schools, per a Facebook post timestamped at 12:30 p.m.
“Parents wishing to pickup students can now access the school. The reunification process of the Westwood students and families has been our priority. We appreciate your cooperation, understanding and patience through this process. All students from Westwood have been released to their parents and guardians at this time.
“Currently, law enforcement is at all locations out of an abundance of caution. Parents are encouraged to follow the directions of school staff and law enforcement.
“Again, all students, staff, and teachers are safe.”
Update: Wednesday, 2:40 p.m. Waynesboro Public Schools and the Waynesboro Police Department will hold a media press conference regarding the incident at Westwood Hills Elementary School at 4:15 p.m. in City Council chambers (first floor) at 503 W. Main St.
A livestream will be available for the public on the city’s YouTube page.
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Crystal Graham
