FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 18, 2026
Student Report Leads to Prompt Response at William Perry Elementary School
Today at William Perry Elementary School, a student reported to a teacher that another student, who is 9 years old, may have had a weapon in a bookbag. The teacher immediately secured the bookbag, removed the student in question from the classroom, and escorted the student and bookbag to the school office.
A Waynesboro Police Department School Resource Officer was present and responded immediately. Upon searching the bookbag, the School Resource Officer located a BB gun. A follow-up criminal investigation is underway to assess potential criminal charges.
Following a threat assessment and review of the incident, it was determined that students and staff were not in danger.
Waynesboro Public Schools commends the student who reported the concern and the staff members who responded promptly and appropriately. Our students are taught that when they see or hear something concerning, they should immediately report it to a trusted adult. Today’s response demonstrates the importance of students following that guidance and taking concerns about school safety seriously.
Waynesboro Public Schools also appreciates its strong partnership with the Waynesboro Police Department and the department’s continued support of our schools. The presence and immediate assistance of our School Resource Officer helped ensure the situation was addressed quickly and appropriately.
The safety of our students and staff remains a top priority for Waynesboro Public Schools. We appreciate the actions of our students, staff, administrators, and law enforcement partners in responding to this incident. The school division staff encourage parents to regularly check their child’s bookbags so we can maintain safe learning environments.
For additional information, please contact Ryan Barber, Assistant Superintendent, at 540-946-4600.
We look forward to welcoming students back on Tuesday!
We are grateful to our school health professionals and community partners whose dedication and collaboration helped make this recognition possible. Their work strengthens our commitment to keeping students, staff and visitors safe across our schools.
Thank you for helping make Waynesboro Public Schools a heart-safe school division!
Good afternoon!
Our message to Westwood Hills students, families, and staff included a lot of important information and details. To make things a little easier, we’ve put together a “Key Takeaways” sheet that highlights the most important points and may be helpful for many families.
We appreciate you all and your continued support. Have a wonderful weekend!
Westwood Hills Recovery & Return: KEY TAKEAWAYS | SEPTEMBER 11, 2026
Good afternoon,
Please check our website and your email for important Westwood Hills Recovery and Return Information and Resources.
The information shared includes a number of resources to support our students, families, staff, and community. Please take some time to review these materials, and do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need additional support.
We know this is a challenging time for our community, and we remain committed to supporting one another. We will continue to communicate, collaborate, and partner together as we move forward.
Thank you for your continued care, patience, and support.
Aidan was one of eight students selected from across the Commonwealth of Virginia selected to serve on the State Student Advisory Board.
Waynesboro Public Schools are providing this notification in conjunction with the Waynesboro Police Department: During the overnight hours of September 5, 2026, the Waynesboro Police Department received information from out of state about a potential threat to Westwood Hills Elementary School on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. Throughout the weekend, Waynesboro Police Department personnel worked with school officials and other law enforcement agencies to investigate the alleged threat, specifically to source its origin and locate the suspect. Westwood Schools was also searched and checked throughout the weekend out of precaution.
This afternoon, Waynesboro Police were able to locate the individual with the assistance of Harrisonburg Police Department and determine the alleged threat was false. The investigation continues, and charges are likely pending.
We are so sorry to have to share this message at such a difficult time for our community. Take care and have a good evening.
Waynesboro Public Schools will be closed tomorrow, Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day.
We appreciate the continued care, support and compassion being shown throughout our school community.
Artwork created and shared by Mae Carrel, 7th grade student at KCMS. ❤️
suspicious individual on the grounds of Westwood Hills Elementary School, located at 548 Rosser
Avenue in the City of Waynesboro.
The individual, Anthony I. Ignatiadis-Isabelle, 19, of Waynesboro (Augusta County), Va., forced entry
into the school. Law enforcement responded within minutes and immediately entered the school.
There they located, in the library, the suspect dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
There were no students in the library at the time.
The time between the initial call and the location of the suspect was approximately three minutes.
One adult staff member did suffer a non-life-threatening gunshot wound. The staff member has
been treated and since released.
This remains an active and ongoing investigation. As investigators continue their work, additional
information will be released when it is appropriate and confirmed.
Westwood Hills Elementary School will be closed Thursday. Waynesboro Public Schools will
communicate directly with families regarding available resources and any additional information
concerning school operations.
We recognize how frightening an incident like this is for students, parents, staff, and the entire
Waynesboro community. We are extremely grateful for the immediate response of school staff and
the coordinated response of the Waynesboro Police Department, Augusta County Sheriff’s Office,
Virginia State Police, and our other local, state, and federal law enforcement partners.
We also want to sincerely thank the parents, guardians, and families of Westwood Hills Elementary
School for their patience, cooperation, and understanding throughout today’s reunification process.
We know how difficult it is to wait for information when your child is involved in an emergency
situation. Your willingness to follow the established reunification procedures allowed school officials
and law enforcement to account for students and reunite them with their families in a safe and
orderly manner. We are extremely grateful for your cooperation during what was an understandably
stressful and emotional time.
We also want to thank the Westminster Presbyterian Church, which served as our reunification site for
our families. Their help was immense in bringing our families back together in this trying situation.
There are still aspects of this incident that are under investigation, so there will be questions we simply
cannot answer today. We will provide as much verified information as we can while protecting the
integrity of that investigation.
Quote from Dr. Jeffrey Cassel, Superintendent of Waynesboro Public Schools:
“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.
”
Also, there will be no late buses this afternoon. All students should arrive on regular schedule.
View the presentation here: https://aptg.co/X306F8