PHILIPPI, W. Va. — A 14-year-old boy has been taken into custody after police said he held several students and a teacher hostage Tuesday afternoon inside a West Virginia high school.
According to West Virginia State Police, officers were called to Philip Barbour High School around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday for a report of a person with a gun.
The school was immediately placed on lockdown.
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Once at the scene, authorities determined the 14-year-old was holding numerous students and a teacher hostage with a pistol in a second floor classroom.
Police said all students were evacuated to the football field and sent home via school buses.
After initial negotiations, the suspect agreed to release all of the hostages, police said. Then, after further negotiations, the suspect put the gun down and surrendered to law enforcement without further incident.
The West Virginia State Police continues to investigate the incident in an effort to determine the possible motive.
The suspect was transported to a local hospital for evaluation. Discussions will be held with the prosecuting attorney to determine the appropriate course of action once the suspect is released from the hospital.
The prosecutor is in the process of preparing the necessary paperwork to seek detention.
According to the school's website, Philip Barbour High School is located in Philippi, about two hours from Pittsburgh.
WEST VIRGINIA STATE POLICEPRESS RELEASEOffice of Public AffairsLieutenant Michael Baylous Telephone:...
Posted by West Virginia State Police on Tuesday, August 25, 2015