Tragedy struck the rural community of Perry, Iowa, on Thursday morning when a 17-year-old student opened fire at Perry High School, killing a sixth-grade student and injuring five others. The suspect, identified as Dylan Butler, was later found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.[0]
The shooting occurred on the first day back to school after the holiday break.[1] Authorities reported that the incident took place before classes had started, resulting in fewer students and faculty being present in the building. Dallas County Sheriff Adam Infante stated that this likely contributed to a more favorable outcome.
Butler, a senior at Perry High School, was armed with a shotgun and a handgun when he carried out the attack. Prior to the shooting, he posted a TikTok video of himself in what appeared to be the school bathroom, captioned with the words “Now we wait.”[2] The investigation also discovered an image believed to be of Butler in the bathroom, accompanied by the song “Stray Bullet” by the German band KMFDM.[3]
Law enforcement officials swiftly responded to the scene, with reports of an active shooter prompting a massive police presence. The school was evacuated, and nearby Perry Elementary School and Perry Middle School also cleared their buildings as a precaution.[2]
Tragically, despite the efforts of emergency responders, one student lost their life, and five others sustained injuries. The entire state of Iowa was left in shock and mourning following the senseless act of violence. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds expressed her condolences, stating that the tragedy had shaken the entire state to its core.[4]
Governor Reynolds also vowed to seek answers and prevent such incidents from happening again, emphasizing the need for tireless efforts in understanding the motives behind such acts and implementing effective preventive measures. The investigation revealed that an improvised explosive device was also found during a search of the school.[3] The device was safely rendered inoperable by the state Fire Marshal and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
In response to the shooting, Perry Middle and High Schools were closed for the remainder of the day.[5] Students from the middle school were relocated to a reunification location for parents to pick them up, while elementary students and those in daycare were directed to the McCreary Center in Perry.[5]
As the community of Perry mourns the loss of a young life and grapples with the aftermath of this tragedy, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing issue of gun violence in schools. It highlights the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address and prevent such incidents, including stricter gun control regulations, improved mental health support, and enhanced school safety protocols.
The Perry High School shooting will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the community, as families, friends, and fellow students come to terms with the loss and work towards healing. It serves as a solemn reminder that every effort must be made to ensure the safety and well-being of students and educators in educational institutions across the country.
0. “Sixth-Grade Student Killed, Five Others Injured in Iowa School Shooting” The Wall Street Journal, 4 Jan. 2024, https://www.wsj.com/us-news/sixth-grade-student-killed-five-others-injured-in-iowa-school-shooting-d290f036
1. “Shooting at Perry High School in Iowa kills sixth-grader, injures 5 others” MSNBC, 4 Jan. 2024, https://www.msnbc.com/top-stories/latest/perry-high-school-shooting-iowa-rcna132272
2. “Perry High School shooter Dylan Butler kills Iowa sixth-grader and injures four other students – and the princ” Daily Mail, 4 Jan. 2024, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12927213/Suspected-Iowa-school-shooter-Butler.html
3. “At least 1 dead in shooting at Iowa high school: Officials” Good Morning America, 4 Jan. 2024, https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/US/story/shooting-reported-perry-high-school-iowa-106099810
4. “1 victim dead, 5 injured after Iowa school shooting” The Hill, 4 Jan. 2024, https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/4389691-one-victim-dead-five-injured-iowa-school-shooting/
5. “A Shooting Has Occurred at Perry Schools” Raccoon Valley Radio, 4 Jan. 2024, https://www.raccoonvalleyradio.com/2024/01/04/possibly-incident-at-perry-schools/
