Police say a 14-year-old boy held several students and a teacher hostage at a West Virginia school.
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Barbour County Schools Superintendent Jeffrey Woofter told the Associated Press (AP) that students entering for the next class were asked to leave when they opened the door of the classroom where the teen was holding the hostages.
“There are no injuries, the children are all safe”, said State Police Lt. Michael Baylous.
Officials said that the school was placed on lockdown after evacuating other students on a football field who were then sent home.
Baylous said that after initial negotiations, the boy agreed to release the students and teacher and then eventually put the gun down and surrendered without further incident.
Police said the boy was taken to a hospital to be evaluated as authorities attempted to determine a motive.
It was the ninth day of the new school year in Philippi, a town with a population of 3000 about 185km (115 miles) south of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
West Virginia State Police expressed appreciation for all involved law enforcement agencies, fire departments and first responders.
Earlier, the Barbour County Sheriff’s Office said only that police and emergency medical services were at the scene of Phillip Barbour High School. Poling said that because the case involves a juvenile, the court process would be closed.
Steve Saltis was among several anxious parents who went to the school and waited outside an area cordoned off by police tape while waiting for students to be released.
A West Virginia high school narrowly avoided tragedy when a tense two-hour hostage situation ended with an armed 14-year-old boy’s surrender.
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The school could not be immediately reached by phone. Police have not identified the student.
