Teen Dies Of Self-Inflicted Gunshot After Being Confronted By Loudoun Deputy

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA – A 15-year-old from Purcellville apparently took his own life in front of a Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office deputy Monday morning, according to the LCSO.

The LCSO says that the Purcellville Police Department requested Loudoun's assistance in finding a missing and endangered 15-year-old boy believed to be in possession of multiple firearms at about 9 a.m.

At about 9:50 a.m., an LCSO deputy saw the boy walking west along the 3600 block of East Loudoun Street. As the deputy approached, according to LCSO, the boy produced a firearm and shot himself. As the boy fired, a deputy also fired a round.

The deputy rendered aid, but the boy was pronounced dead at the scene, LCSO says.

The LCSO has not disclosed whether the deputy's round struck the boy.

According to a report by Loudoun Now, LCSO does not know whether the shot hit the teen and does not believe it was fatal. The outlet reports that the deputy ordered the boy to drop his weapon before firing.

Loudoun Valley High School sent a message to families that a student had died unexpectedly this morning.

In an email obtained by Patch, Principal Sue Ross wrote, "As many of you are, I am deeply saddened by this news. A traumatic event can evoke a wide range of emotions, and I know that the Loudoun County community shares in their family’s loss and grief."

The email asked parents to talk to their children to the degree they believed necessary, and said, "The safety and well-being of our students is always our main priority, and we are prepared to support our students’ emotional needs as they arise. We will have additional mental health professionals at the school available to help any students with questions they may have or difficulties they might experience. "

Read more from Loudoun Now here.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 988 by phone or text.

This story has been updated to reflect a statement from the LCSO.