West Virginia Police and school officials help parents reunite with their children at Philip Barbour High School following a "hostage-type situation" on Aug 25, 2015, in Philippi, West Virginia, US. [Photo/IC]

"Then we all held hands and said a prayer," she said.

Local authorities got first reports about 1:30 pm Tuesday of someone with a gun in the building. Students who weren't in the classroom with the suspect were sent to a football field before they were accounted for and sent home by bus.

Woofter said Philippi Police Chief Jeff Walters negotiated the release of the students from the classroom and eventually got the suspect to surrender a few hours after it began.

Walters "did an awesome job negotiating with this very troubled young man," Woofter said.

Barbour County Prosecutor Leckta Poling said she plans to pursue unspecified charges against the suspect, who was taken to a hospital for evaluation. Poling said that because the case involves a juvenile, the court process would be closed. Police haven't identified the student.

State Police Capt. Dave Reider said there will be an increased law enforcement presence at the school on Wednesday when classes resume.