Crime
Active Shooter Situation Reported at Westwood Hills Elementary School in Waynesboro
WAYNESBORO, Va. — Authorities responded to an emergency situation at Westwood Hills Elementary School in Waynesboro on Wednesday morning, prompting a lockdown and the evacuation of students from the school.
The Waynesboro Police Department said it was managing an “emergency” situation at the elementary school as authorities worked to secure the area.
Early reports described the incident as an active shooter situation, although officials did not immediately provide details about whether shots were fired or whether anyone was injured.
The Augusta County Sheriff’s Office reported at approximately 10:23 a.m. that the situation at Westwood Elementary was “contained and secured at this time.”
Authorities emphasized that the children were safe and were being evacuated from the school.
Officials urged parents and members of the public not to respond directly to the school, explaining that emergency personnel and buses needed clear access to the area.
Waynesboro Public Schools began coordinating a reunification process to allow students to be safely reunited with their families.
The designated reunification location was Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1904 Mount Vernon Street, Waynesboro. Families were instructed to report to the lower fellowship hall and enter through the area marked with “entry” signs.
School officials asked families to wait for further instructions and notifications rather than going directly to Westwood Hills Elementary.
As authorities responded to the situation in Waynesboro, several schools in the surrounding area were also placed under lockdown as a precaution.
According to Augusta County Public Schools, schools in Stuarts Draft and the Wilson Complex were placed on lockdown after the Augusta County sheriff ordered the precautionary measure.
Officials said the lockdowns were implemented because of reports of the emergency in Waynesboro and were intended to protect students and staff while authorities assessed the situation.
The Waynesboro Police Department and Augusta County Sheriff’s Office continued managing the emergency response Wednesday morning.
Authorities have not immediately released additional details about what prompted the emergency at Westwood Hills Elementary, whether a weapon was involved, or whether any injuries were reported.
The situation was reported as contained and secured, while students were evacuated and reunification procedures were put in place. Officials continue to urge parents and the public to follow instructions from Waynesboro Public Schools and law enforcement.
Crime
14-Year-Old Middleton High School Student Carson Chrapkowski Dies After Bicycle Crash, Driver Alyssa Anderson Arrested
MIDDLETON, Idaho — A 14-year-old Middleton High School student has died after being struck by a vehicle while riding his bicycle near the high school Friday night, according to the Middleton Police Department.
The teenager was transported by Life Flight to St. Luke’s Boise following the crash but died from his injuries early Saturday morning.
Middleton police said the crash involved a vehicle and a bicyclist near Middleton High School. The 14-year-old suffered critical injuries and was flown to a Boise hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Police announced Saturday morning that the young bicyclist had succumbed to his injuries.
The teen was identified in the information provided for this report as Carson Chrapkowski, a Middleton High School student. However, the police department’s public statement did not release the teenager’s name.
Police arrested 41-year-old Alyssa Louise Anderson in connection with the crash. Anderson was booked into the Canyon County Jail.
According to police, Anderson is facing charges of vehicular manslaughter, aggravated DUI and leaving the scene of an injury accident.
Authorities have not released additional details about the circumstances leading up to the collision or the specific allegations supporting the DUI charge.
The crash remains under investigation by the Middleton Police Department and Idaho State Police. Investigators have not released further information about the sequence of events or whether additional charges could be filed.
Police said they are continuing to work to establish the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash.
The Middleton Police Department expressed condolences to the teenager’s parents, family, friends, classmates and others affected by his death as the community mourns the loss of a young student.