Perry, Iowa – A tragic school shooting in Perry, Iowa has claimed the life of a sixth-grade student and left five others wounded. The incident occurred at Perry High School on Thursday morning, making it the second school shooting of 2024. The shooter, identified as a student at the high school, was found dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to authorities.
This heartbreaking event follows the first school shooting of the year in Midlothian, Virginia, where one person was injured.
Details about the Perry High School shooting continue to emerge. Along with the devastating loss of a sixth-grade student, four other students and a school administrator were injured and are currently receiving medical treatment. One victim is in critical condition, while the others are in stable condition.
The alleged shooter, identified as 17-year-old Dylan Butler, was armed with a pump-action shotgun and a small caliber handgun. Prior to the shooting, he made social media posts that caught the attention of officials. Authorities also discovered an improvised explosive device during a search of the high school, which was subsequently rendered safe by the state fire marshal and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives officials.
Law enforcement responded swiftly to the active shooter alert, arriving at the scene within seven minutes of receiving the call. Students and faculty were either seeking shelter or fleeing the school at the time of their arrival. The shooting was contained within the high school, and Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds expressed gratitude to the brave responders, stating that their quick actions saved lives.
As the community grapples with this senseless act of violence, the Perry Public Library will offer counseling services tomorrow to support students and citizens affected by the shooting. The school district has declared that all schools will be closed on Friday, allowing time for mourning and healing.
The Perry High School shooting highlights the ongoing issue of gun violence in American schools. The tragedy serves as a somber reminder of the need for comprehensive measures to prevent such incidents and protect the safety of students and educators.