Police: Woodbridge Student's Death From 'Self-Inflicted' Gunshot

Police are investigating the death of a Woodbridge student as a suicide after he was found along Cotton Mill Drive in Woodbridge on Tuesday. 

Police initially responded to Cotton Mill Drive on Nov. 12 at 4:52 p.m. to investigate a report of someone being unconscious, Prince William County Police spokesman Jonathan Perok said in a news release. 

"The caller reported to police that he was walking his dog along a path in the above area when he found the victim unconscious. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene," Perok said in the release. "Detectives from the Homicide Unit arrived and determined that the victim sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The handgun was recovered at the scene. The victim, a juvenile, was identified as a student of Prince William County Public Schools."

Prince William County Public Schools spokesperson Phil Kavits said that Woodbridge Senior High School students had been informed of their fellow student's death.

"Students were bringing home a letter from the principal notifying them of the situation and the fact that counseling service are being provided," Kavits said.

If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.