A hostage situation at a high school in Barbour County, West Virginia ended peacefully Tuesday afternoon.
Numerous law enforcement agencies responded to Philip Barbour High School around 1:30 p.m. after receiving calls about a person with a gun inside the building, according to state police officials.
The school was placed on lockdown and officers determined that a 14-year-old boy was holding students and a teacher hostage with a pistol in a second-floor classroom.
All other students were evacuated to the football field, accounted for, and brought home on school buses.
Following initial negotiations, the suspect agreed to release all of the hostages and eventually put his gun down and surrendered to law enforcement without further incident.
The suspect was then transported to a local hospital for evaluation. Discussions are being held with the prosecutor to determine the appropriate course of action once the teen is released from the hospital.
State police officials thanked parents for their "patience, understanding, and cooperation" and the school personnel who concisely executed their evacuation plan.
West Virginia State Police continues to investigate the incident in an effort to determine the possible motive.
Paul Peluso | Editor
Paul Peluso is the Managing Editor of OFFICER Magazine and has been with the Officer Media Group since 2006. He began as an Associate Editor, writing and editing content for Officer.com. Previously, Paul worked as a reporter for several newspapers in the suburbs of Baltimore, MD.
