Suspect in Custody After Hostage Situation at WV High School

A 14-year-old boy held numerous students and a teacher hostage Tuesday inside his West Virginia high school – a scary episode that ended peacefully with the teen dropping his gun and surrendering, police said.

“Omg I hear running on the 2nd floor…im freaking out”, one claimed student, @_mj_morris, tweeted amid a lockdown that led to students being evacuated to a football field.

“After initial negotiations, the suspect agreed to release all of the hostages”, the news release said.

Police said they had not determined a motive, but were investigating the incident.

The suspect was taken to a hospital for psychological evaluation and because he is juvenile, there will be no trial at the court.

Classes were just about to change, Barbour County Schools Superintendent Jeffrey Woofter told the AP, and a new group of students about to enter the classroom when the teacher managed to convince the boy not to let them in. After the incident was reported, the varsity was evacuated, and college students have been ultimately faraway from the varsity grounds by bus, he says. Saltis said by phone that his daughter attends the school and that “a lot” was going through his mind while he waited for her to head home.

Woofter also praised the local police chief for getting quickly to the scene and talking the suspect into giving up. While the school will open on schedule, classes will commence after two hours, he added.

“Thank god that none of our students was hurt, but it’s been a trying day for the parents and kids”, said Linda Everson, grandmother of a student.

Baylous says the suspect was isolated inside the school.

Further details, including where the boy acquired the weapon, were not immediately provided.

Philippi is a town of about 3,000 residents in north-central West Virginia.