By: Adam Beam 1/4/2023
8:45 p.m.
New details are emerging about the suspected Iowa shooter, Dylan Butler, as federal investigators search through the 17-year-old's various social media profiles. Butler, a student at Perry High School, opened fire Thursday morning, leading to the death of a sixth-grader and injuring five others, including a school administrator. Butler is believed to have taken his own life at the scene.
Law enforcement officials told the Associated Press that they are in the process of interviewing those close to Butler. It was revealed that before the shooting on Thursday, Butler had posted to TikTok from inside a bathroom at Perry High School. The post was captioned "now we wait" and set to the song "Stray Bullet" by KMFDM.
Butler also posted several images posing with firearms on his social media.
The Associated Press spoke with students at Perry High School who told AP that Butler was allegedly bullied by his peers. The students claimed that school officials had not intervened, which they believe was "the last straw" for the 17-year-old.
A candlelight vigil was held Thursday night for the community, and the school will be closed on Friday. The school district also announced via their Facebook page that counseling services for students will be available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Perry Public Library on January 5 and 6.
4:45 p.m.
Iowa police have revealed that the suspected shooter was a 17-year-old who claimed the life of one sixth-grader and wounded five others, according to the Associated Press.
The shooter has been identified as Dylan Butler, a student at Perry High School. Police say he was armed with a pump-action shotgun and a small-caliber handgun.
Mitch Mortvedt of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation revealed at a press conference, "There are six victims, one of whom is deceased. That individual was a sixth-grade student at Perry Middle School. The other five are being treated at area hospitals. Four of the surviving victims are students, and the fifth is a school administrator."
Governor Kim Reynolds, R-IA, also spoke at the press conference on Thursday and told reporters, "Our hearts are broken by this senseless tragedy. Our prayers are with the students, teachers & families of the Perry Community."
Senator Chuck Grassley, R-IA, took to X, formerly known as Twitter, with, "Today's appalling violence at Perry HS is heartbreaking. Barbara + I are grateful for the quick response by school officials & law enforcement to protect students + restore safety." Representative Zach Nunn also took to X with, "Our priority must be to work together to support the victims, their families, and the entire Perry school community."
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre spoke during the daily press briefing and told the press, "It's only the fourth day of the year, and we are already faced with yet another horrific school shooting. And the question that we ask is, when will enough be enough?"
President Biden has been made aware of the situation in Iowa and has been in touch with the governor.
1:35 p.m.
Republican presidential nominee Vivek Ramaswamy held a moment of silence at the end of his "Commit to Caucus" rally in Perry in the wake of a shooting at Perry High School that has left multiple people injured and at least one dead. This includes the suspected shooter, who is believed to have died by self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
Ramaswamy prayed with guests in attendance, saying, "Let's take a moment of silence before we part ways. Think of the families in the community here, pray for the health of those who may be healed, and for those who are receiving medical care now so that they may survive."
Ramaswamy is a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment. During an interview with former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Ramaswamy stated that everyone "has the right to carry a gun" and that "concealed carry is important, constitutional carry is important.”
Ramaswamy is the first presidential candidate to speak publicly on the shooting, which comes just two weeks before the Iowa GOP Caucus.
12:08 p.m.
Iowa police have confirmed that multiple people were shot on Thursday when a gunman opened fire at Perry High School.
At least two gunshot victims have been taken to Iowa Methodist Medical Center at this time. However, the status of other injured individuals or the severity of their injuries is not known at this time.
Dallas County Sheriff Adam Infante told reporters at a press conference earlier, "We're still unclear exactly how many are injured or what the extent of those are. But we're working on that right now. There is no further danger to the public. The community is safe. We're just now working backward trying to figure out everything that happened and make notifications."
A law enforcement official told the Associated Press that the suspected shooter is dead. Investigators on the scene believe it to be the result of self-inflicted gunshot wounds. The identity of the shooter has not been revealed at this time as the investigation is ongoing.
The active shooter was reported at 7:37 a.m. and occurred before the school day had started, with a limited number of students and faculty inside the building at the time.
10:45 a.m.
Police in Iowa are reporting that there has been a shooting at Perry High School on Thursday. The report was confirmed by a woman at the Perry County Police Department.
A large number of police vehicles are surrounding the school at this time; however, no details have been released as of 10:45 a.m. regarding any students or faculty who may have been injured. It is also unclear whether the shooter or shooters have been apprehended.
Thursday is the first day back in session for the 1,785-student school district following the holiday break.
The Associated Press spoke with the mother of two Perry High School students who said her daughter reported the shooting and being evacuated from the school around 7:45 a.m.
*This story is breaking. Please check back in the coming hours for additional updates
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