Two killed, including suspect, 5 injured in Iowa high school shooting
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One victim is in critical condition, while the other four are in stable condition, as per police.
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Police responding to Perry High School in Perry, Iowa., on Jan. 4, 2024 (AP)
A mass shooting unfolded at Perry High School in Iowa on Thursday morning local US time, resulting in the killing of a student and the injury of five individuals, as per officials.
The suspected shooter, identified as a student from the same high school, was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to Mitch Mortvedt from the Iowa Department of Public Safety.
Five students, one of whom was a sixth-grader who died, were among the victims. Perry High School Principal Dan Marburger was also among those shot, as confirmed by the Perry Community School Board and the Easton Valley School District. One victim is in critical condition, while the other four are in stable condition, Mortvedt reported during a press briefing on Thursday afternoon local US time.
Police reported an active shooting incident around 7:37 am.
"Police officers responded within minutes. They immediately made entry and witnessed students and faculty either sheltering in place or running from the school," Mortvedt said, as quoted by ABC News.
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The alleged perpetrator, identified as 17-year-old Dylan Butler, was discovered deceased alongside a pump-action shotgun and a small-caliber handgun, according to Mortvedt.
A "rudimentary" explosive device was found within the school premises and safely neutralized, as stated by Mortvedt.
Here is suspected Iowa mass shooter Dylan Butler.
— Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) January 4, 2024
Butler is reported to have shot three people, including his principal.
By the end of the day, the U.S. media will report about how Butler was the "victim." American society is sick.pic.twitter.com/vYTaanFkuZ
The gunfire took place prior to the commencement of the school day, and there were minimal students and staff present in the facility, a factor that, as per Dallas County Sheriff Adam Infante, played a role in a favorable outcome, as mentioned in an earlier media briefing.
"There is no further danger to the public. The community is safe," Dallas County Sheriff Adam Infante told journalists during an earlier press briefing. "We're just now working backwards, trying to figure out everything that happened and make notifications."
It is worth noting that Thursday marked the initial day of school following the winter break. School authorities announced the closure of the school district on Friday.
According to Mortvedt, there is a belief that the suspect acted alone, and no information on a potential motive was disclosed.
An investigation includes an image, thought to be of Butler, posted on TikTok from within a Perry High School bathroom on the morning of the shooting, as per information obtained by ABC News. The caption of the photo reads "now we wait," and it features the song "Stray Bullet" by the German band KMFDM.
Additionally, Butler seemed to have had a profile on Reddit, which is now suspended. Law enforcement sources confirmed they are examining the profile, which included a picture posted in January 2021 showing Butler holding a revolver.
The incident has been reported to the US Attorney General, as stated by a spokesperson from the Department of Justice.
The White House announced, on Thursday, that President Joe Biden is actively overseeing the situation of the shooting.
"Our hearts break for the families of the victims in yet another act of senseless gun violence," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told journalists.
"It's only the fourth day in the year, in the new year, and we are already faced with yet another horrific school shooting. And the question that we ask, is when will enough be enough?" she added.
