Virginia elementary school evacuated as police respond to emergency

WAYNESBORO, Va. (AP) — Police in Virginia said they were responding to an emergency at an elementary school on Wednesday morning.

Students, teachers, and staff were safely evacuated from Westwood Elementary School in Waynesboro, the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release. The statement didn’t specify the type of emergency, and a Waynesboro police dispatcher said no further details were available.

Video from local media showed several emergency vehicles outside the school. Students and their families were being reunited at a church, Waynesboro assistant schools superintendent Ryan Barber said.

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger said she was monitoring the incident.

“My heart is with these young students, their parents and families, and the teachers and staff at the school,” Spanberger said. “Thank you to the first responders who are assisting at the scene.”

Waynesboro is about 96 miles (155 km) northwest of Richmond.