WAYNESBORO, Va. — Westwood Hills Elementary School in Waynesboro, Virginia, was evacuated Wednesday morning after authorities responded to an emergency that federal officials described as a reported shooting incident. Students, teachers and staff were safely moved from the campus while officers secured the area.
The Augusta County Sheriff’s Office said the situation was contained and secured by 10:23 a.m. on September 2. Families were told not to go to the school so buses and emergency vehicles could continue moving through the area.
🔥🚨 BREAKING — Waynesboro, Virginia police are responding to reports of an active shooting at Westwood Hills Elementary School.
— The Patriot Oasis™ (@ThePatriotOasis) September 2, 2026
City schools said reunification is at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1904 Mt.
Vernon Street. Families should use the marked “Entry” and gather in… pic.twitter.com/UQdrakFrfB
BREAKING: Reported shooting at Waynesboro, Virginia elementary school 'contained,' sheriff's office tells local news outlet pic.twitter.com/5UYG0wvhiO
— Fox News (@FoxNews) September 2, 2026
Police and ATF respond to Westwood Hills Elementary
Waynesboro Public Schools said the Waynesboro Police Department was managing the emergency at Westwood Hills Elementary. The ATF Washington Field Division separately confirmed that agents were responding to a reported shooting incident.
A heavy law-enforcement presence surrounded the campus as officers worked through the building. The sheriff’s office said students, teachers and staff were evacuated to a designated staging area while authorities conducted a thorough clearance of the school.
The response follows a separate Virginia State University shooting investigation in August that also prompted a lockdown and multi-agency police operation. Authorities have not indicated any connection between the two incidents.
Families directed to Westminster Presbyterian Church
Parents and guardians were directed to Westminster Presbyterian Church at 1904 Mt. Vernon Street for student reunification. Families were instructed to use the designated entrance and gather in the lower fellowship halls rather than return to the elementary school.
The off-site process allowed school buses, police vehicles and medical responders to continue operating around the campus while students were released in a controlled setting.
I am monitoring the emergency at Westwood Hills Elementary School this morning. My heart is with these young students, their parents and families, and the teachers and staff at the school. Thank you to the first responders who are assisting at the scene.
— Governor Abigail Spanberger (@GovernorVA) September 2, 2026
Augusta County and…
Augusta Health confirms patient care
Augusta Health said it was providing patient care connected to the reported shooting. Hospital spokesperson Kristen Printy said privacy rules prevented the hospital from releasing further details.
The statement does not confirm the identity of the patient, the severity of any injury or how many people may have required treatment. Officials had not publicly released a verified casualty count in the information available at the time of publication.
That distinction is important in a developing incident, where early reports about victims, suspects or motives can change as investigators establish what happened.
Nearby schools placed under precautionary lockdowns
Schools in Stuarts Draft and the Wilson Complex were placed under precautionary lockdowns while authorities handled the Waynesboro emergency. Available information did not indicate a separate attack at those campuses.
Similar precautions have been used during other school safety investigations, including District 196 school closures following threats in Minnesota, where campuses were kept clear while law enforcement assessed the risk.
Investigation continues after school evacuation
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger said she was monitoring the emergency and thanked first responders while expressing concern for students, families, teachers and staff.
The official Westwood Hills Elementary School page identifies the campus at 548 Rosser Avenue in Waynesboro. Authorities had not yet publicly provided a complete account of what triggered the emergency, identified a motive or released confirmed information about a suspect.
The investigation remains active as Waynesboro police and other agencies work to establish the full sequence of events.
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