Increased police presence after armed student holds class hostage
Police block access during Tuesday’s incident at Philip Barbour High School. (Photo: West Virginia Metro News)
Police were on alert Wednesday morning as classes resumed following a tense hostage situation at a West Virginia high school involving an armed teen Tuesday afternoon.
It was only nine days into the semester in the town of Philippi, population 3,000, where 29 students and a teacher were allegedly held at gunpoint by a 14-year-old student, the Associated Press reported.
Police received a 911 call around 1:30 p.m. claiming there was an individual with a gun on the second floor of the Philip Barbour High School, CNN reported.
The school went on lockdown and students were shuffled to the football field and then taken home. The teacher who was held at gunpoint reportedly convinced the gunman to not let any additional students into the classroom.
“Educators who were on scene, they did an awesome job of evacuating the facility per protocol,” said State Police Capt. Dave Reider. “Law enforcement got on scene and contained the situation.”
After negotiating with the teen, State Police were able to get him to surrender without injury and release the hostages two hours after the incident began, West Virginia Metro News reported.
The suspect was then taken to the hospital for evaluation.
It’s unclear what the unidentified student’s motivations were or how he obtained the pistol, but the Barbour County Prosecutor’s Office said it plans on bringing charges against him. Since the case involves a minor, it will be closed to the public.
Read More On:
Latest Reviews
-
The Baby Glock Centimeter: A Review of the New G29 Gen 5 10mm Carry Pistol
Whether straying into the backcountry or just a fan of the 10mm Auto, Glock has long had one of the smallest carry guns offered in that caliber and we have been kicking around its latest variant for a couple of months.
Read More -
AMT Backup .380 Review: Fun With a Retro Pocket Pistol
I’m rather fascinated with pocket guns, so when I came across this AMT Backup 380 in Guns.com's Certified Used stockpile, I had to give it a try. It's an interesting and affordable retro pistol.
Read More -
Winchester Model 100 in .243 Win Stands the Test of Time
Every now and then I happen upon a neat little rifle I’ve never heard of, like this Winchester Model 100. Let's see if this mid-century deer hunter chambered in .243 Winchester still has what it takes.
Read More -
Palm Full of Parabellum: A Review of the 9mm Bond Arms Stubby
Texas-based Bond Arms, the country's go-to maker of double-barreled derringer-style handguns in usable calibers, recently introduced an ultra-compact new 9mm-- the aptly named Stubby.
Read More
