A 17-year-old student opened fire at Perry High School in Iowa on Thursday morning, leaving one student dead and five others injured.
Just as students were preparing to return for their second semester the suspected shooter opened fire in the school around 7.37am local time.
Within minutes law enforcement was notified of an active shooter situation in the high school, which is located approximately 30 miles from Des Moines. Upon arrival, police officers identified several gunshot victims and searched for the suspected shooter.
A sixth-grade student died as a result of the gunfire. Five other people were injured.
The suspected shooter, identified as Dylan Butler, was found dead. Law enforcement said in a press conference Thursday afternoon they found an IED found in a school as well as a small caliber handgun and pump action shotgun
Police respond to Perry High School in Perry, Iowa.— (AP)
The shooting occurred early in the morning before classes began. Dallas County Sheriff Adam Infante said the time of day contributed to fewer injuries and deaths.
Perry High School teacher, Lori Meinecke, told Raccoon Valley Radio that she first heard six or seven shots fired around 7.40am. Shortly after, teachers and school coaches shouted at people to evacuate the building – which she said was the procedure the school follows during an active shooting.
Senior Rachel Kares told the Associated Press that she was finishing jazz band practice when she heard four gunshots. Her band teacher told her to “run”.
Approximately 150 officers from the local, state and federal levels responded to the incident.
Classes at Perry High School and Middle School were canceled for the rest of the day. All remaining students were reunited with their parents.
A preliminary investigation found that the suspected shooter posted a now-removed photo and video to social media with an allusion to a previous school shooting. Police officers also discovered the IED inside that high school which the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms rendered safe.
Sheriff Infante said there was no additional threat to the community.
The shooting at Perry High School is the first school shooting to occur in 2024.
