Federal agents joined local and state authorities at Westwood Hills Elementary School in Waynesboro on Wednesday, Sept. 2, after what the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives described as a "reported shooting incident."
The emergency unfolded Wednesday morning at the Rosser Avenue school, prompting a massive law enforcement response and the evacuation of students and staff.
By 10:30 a.m., the Augusta County Sheriff's Office said the incident had been "contained and secured" and that children were safe and being evacuated.
Waynesboro Police later confirmed that all Westwood Hills students, teachers, and staff had been accounted for and were safe.
The scare rippled across the city.
As a precaution, every other Waynesboro public school was placed on lockdown while police continued managing what the department called a "critical incident."
Officials said those schools also remained secure and safe.
ATF Washington confirmed at 10:50 a.m. that agents were responding to the reported shooting at Westwood Hills and directed the public to Waynesboro Police for further updates.
Students and families were being reunited at Westminster Presbyterian Church on Mount Vernon Street, where relatives were directed to the lower fellowship hall.
Police urged families and other members of the public not to return to Westwood Hills while the investigation and emergency response continued.
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger said she was monitoring the situation and thanked the first responders assisting at the scene.
Additional details about what led to the reported shooting, who was involved, and whether anyone had been taken into custody had not been released as of Wednesday afternoon.
The investigation is ongoing.
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