Four other students and an administrative got hurt in the shooting at an Iowa school. The person who had a gun and shot many people was found out to be only 17 years old. The police said he killed himself by shooting at his own body.
A man with a gun shot an 11-year-old student and five others at a high school in Perry, Iowa on Thursday morning. It happened when students retured to school after their winter vacation.
Four of the injured people were students, and one was an administrative, Mitch Mortvedt said at a news meeting on Thursday. He works as an assistant director for the state police in Iowa. One of the injured victims was in really bad shape.
Dan Marburger, who is the principal at Perry High School, was found out by Easton Valley Community School District to be in charge. Officials did not give any other victims’ names.
Dylan Butler, a 17-year-old student at the high school who used a gun, was found dead from shooting himself. Mr. Mortvedt gave this news. Police think he did it by himself and said they don’t know why he did it yet.
In Perry, a town with 8000 people around 40 miles from Des Moines, the shooting made parents run to schools. Stores closed earlier, and by night, people were together for candlelight services remembering the event.
Many people gathered in the cold at a park on late Thursday. Ministers led them in prayer, and people talked about what had happened that day. One high school student said to everyone that she heard the gunshots in the morning and thought they were popping balloons. Another person talked about knowing the kid who lost his life, “a wonderful little boy and very sweet.”
Laura Espinoza, 38, a teacher at Perry Elementary School said that she knew Mr. Marburger, the principal who got shot. She said that he was nice, easy to talk to and wanted to learn about his students.
She said, “People often think of the head teacher as an administrative. But he’s also someone you can listen to joke with.” “You could also share a funny story and make him giggle.”
Ms. Espinoza said that when the school was on lockdown that day, she got very scared and tried to keep her students safe while also worrying about her kids’ safety.
“You do not think it will happen to you,” she said. “I think we go to these trainings willing to learn but hoping that you won’t need to use them.”
The shooting happened when school was starting. The authorities said calls about someone with a gun at Perry High School began coming in just after 7:At 30 a.m.; emergency workers got to the school around seven minutes after they were called.
The attack happened before school started, Mr. Mortvedt said at a breakfast event for students from many grades. The high school and middle school share a campus where this event took place.
He said that when the police came, they found many people injured by guns and students and teachers hiding inside the school or running away.
They also found a “basic” homemade explosive, Mr. Mortvedt said. Agents from the state fire inspector and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives made sure it was harmless.
The person with the gun had a pump shotgun and a small handgun, according to Mr. Mortvedt. He also posted on social media “a few times before and after the shooting,” law officers are looking into it, said Mr. Mortvedt.
Mr. Mortvedt said that about 150 police officers showed up at the spot.
On Thursday, Governor Kim Reynolds said at a meeting with journalists that the shooting has made us feel very troubled. She thanked local, state and federal groups for their excellent teamwork.
The families of the victims “need your thoughts and prayers, as well as time to understand and sorrow”. Police Chief Eric Vaughn from Perry’s police department said this while struggling not to cry. “This group of people has faced hard times before and united. I’m sure this time will not be any different.
On Thursday afternoon, Iowa Methodist Medical Center and MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center were treating many patients with gunshot injuries, according to a statement from Polk County’s medical coordination centre.
Ava Augustus, a senior at Perry High School, said she was in her counselor’s office when she heard three gunshots. This was reported to them by WHO 13 News. After they were told it was safe, she saw glass all around, blood on the ground and a student who had been shot in their leg being taken out of the big hall.
Jody Kurth said to KCCI 8 News that her stepson, who goes to Perry High School, got injured in the shooting. She said the morning attack was “a complete nightmare.”
Her daughter sent her a message to tell her about the shooter. She called it “one of the worst moments of my life.”
She told KCCI that both of her kids were safe.
At a local centre in Perry, a bus took elementary school kids. Parents were waiting there for their children to come back. Amanda Woods, 34 years old and mother of two little boys, was one of the first parents.
Mr. Ramaswamy went to Iowa before the state’s Republican meetings, which were set for January 15.
Karine Jean-Pierre, the person who speaks for the White House, said that President Biden had been told about the shooting.
People May Also Ask
What happened in the Iowa school attack?
A 17-year-old student named Dylan Butler attacked Perry High School in Iowa. He injured five students and an administrative. He later ended his own life.
How many people got injured in the shooting?
An administrative and four students were injured in the shooting. One of the victims was really injured.
Were there any casualties?
Yes, the person with a gun named Dylan Butler was found not alive because he shot himself. No other casualties were reported.
When did the shooting occur?
The event took place on a Thursday morning when kids went back to school after the winter break.
What was the community’s reaction to the event?
The people had candle-lit events to remember what happened. Parents went to school quickly, and a meeting at a park had prayers and talks about the sad day.
Why did the shooting happen?
The police still have not needed to figure out why it happened. Dylan Butler’s actions remain unclear.
Were there any explosives involved?
Authorities later said that a homemade bomb was found, but it was not dangerous.
How did law enforcement respond?
Emergency people got to the school about seven minutes after they were called. About 150 police officers were there at the place.
What guns were used in the shooting?
The person with the gun had a shotgun and a small hand weapon. He also posted on social media before and after the event happened.
How did the local city leaders and teachers deal with this problem?
Governor Kim Reynolds was very worried. She thanked local, state and federal groups for working together. The school had a lockdown, and worried moms waited for their kids at a nearby place.
