Perry, Iowa – A tragic school shooting at Perry High School claimed the life of a sixth-grade student and left five others injured on Thursday morning. According to authorities, the shooter, identified as 17-year-old Dylan Butler, was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound when they arrived at the scene.
The incident occurred before school hours, resulting in fewer people being present at the school, which authorities believe limited the number of victims. Dallas County Sheriff Adam Infante stated that they received an alert about the shooting Thursday around 7:37 a.m.
Butler was armed with both a shotgun and a handgun during the attack. Law enforcement also discovered an improvised explosive device at the school, which was neutralized. Although authorities did not comment on the shooter’s motive, they mentioned that he had made concerning posts on social media before the incident.
Four students and an administrator were among the injured victims. One person was in critical condition but had non-life-threatening injuries, while the others were reported as stable.
As investigations into the shooting continue, Governor Kim Reynolds offered her condolences to the Perry community, remarking, “Our prayers are with the entire Perry community. This tragedy has shaken our entire state to the core… Every Iowan stands with you.” She reassured the public that authorities would tirelessly work to uncover the reasons behind the shooting.
Perry, with a population of approximately 8,000 residents, is home to Perry High School, part of the Perry Community School District, which consists of 1,785 students.