A parent’s worst nightmare played out Thursday morning in Perry, Iowa, after a student opened fire inside the high school, killing a middle schooler and sending four other students and the principal to the hospital.
The community of Perry is only about 8,000 people in Dallas County.
That community stood together Thursday evening at a vigil for those victims, and everyone in town, as they mourn the losses. “I got to school around 7:20 and when I first heard the gunshot I didn’t really think anything of it,” one student shared at Thursday night’s vigil. “I thought someone was just popping a balloon or something. But then it just like kept happening and everything turned into chaos and I saw my friends go a different direction, but my first instinct was to get out of the school.
Samuel Hernadez, a junior, says a teacher stopped him from going inside the school after the shooting started.I kinda didn’t believe it cause I was just like my mind was just like I couldn’t really comprehend what was going on,”Hernadez said.
The suspect: 17-year-old Dylan Butler, a student at Perry High. Police say he died from a self-inflicted gunshot and all evidence indicates he acted alone. Police also found an improvised explosive device, and were able to disable it there.
Police also say the shooter had a pump action shotgun and a small caliber handgun.
Hernadez is in the same grade as Butler but said he didn’t know the suspect firsthand.
“He was a quiet kid. He didn’t really talk to people,” Hernadez said.
Police respond to Perry High School in Perry, Iowa., Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. Police say there has been a shooting at the city’s high school.(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Mitch Mortvedt with Iowa DCI says the shooting was contained in the high school, but explained how a 6th grader may have been in the building.
“It all happened in the Perry high school, and it was before school started, so there were not many students and it’s our understanding that there was a breakfast program going on, so there may have been students of different grades,”Mortvedt said.
The shooting happened on the first day students returned to class after the holiday break, leaving the community in disbelief.
“I was still home this morning when I heard it. I had seen and heard police cars race by my house so I knew something was up and my reaction was disbelief honestly I just couldn’t imagine something like that happening in our community,”First Presbyterian church Rev. Lynne Hanna said.
Speaking at a press conference Thursday, Gov. Kim Reynolds praised police response time and promised her office will be working tirelessly to get answers.
“I want to take a moment this afternoon to recognize the immediate and courageous response of local law enforcement and the incredible coordination,” Gov. Reynolds said.
Gov. Reynolds is also ordering flags in the state to half-staff for the Perry community.
The White House says President Biden is following everything that’s been going on in Perry. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre also says administration staffers are in touch with Governor Reynolds’ office.
District One Rep. Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks says tragedies like Thursday’s are why she keeps pushing for bills that include one-door entry policies, bulletproof windows, and resource officers in every school.
“I think we need to continue, you know, those types of efforts to make schools safe,” Congressional House Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R) Iowa said. “Right now it’s still, it’s still very fresh and very new, but, you know, our hearts are with those families, with certainly the school district, all of the teachers, the administrators, and, and those who, you know, who may have suffered through this crisis.”
With fewer than 1,800 kids in The Perry School District, classes have been canceled for Friday.
The biggest teachers’ union in the state, the Iowa State Education Association, issued the following statement Thursday:
“We are heartbroken by this tragedy and know that words cannot express the sorrow we feel for the victims and the pain that everyone in the community feels. Like schools across the state — Perry High School is a place for learning, growth, and friendship. Iowa’s public schools are the heart of all our communities; today, our hearts are shattered.”
Congressman Zach Nunn also released a statement condemning the shooting:
“After today’s tragic attack at Perry High School, I’ve remained in close contact with first-responders who have indicated to me that the school is now secure,” Nunn said. “As a parent and community member, I’m beyond angry. My heart, and my commitment to holding those accountable, is with the community of Perry. We have a duty to protect our children, families, and educators. I remain in touch with first responders and local leaders in Perry, and I will continue to monitor the situation closely. We will not rest until there is full accountability for this heinous act of violence.”
LifeServe Blood Center is responsible for blood supplies at hospitals in the Des Moines area.
They say they’re sending more after Thursday’s shooting, and they’re looking for more donations to help with the situation.
They’re also working on opening up more appointment times in the days ahead.
If you can help, click here to set up an appointment at a time and place that works best for you, or you can call them at 800-287-4903.
Meanwhile, Perry Police Chief Eric Vaughn got a little emotional talking about the town’s resilience Thursday.
This community’s been through tough times before and have rallied together. I’m sure this time will be no different,” Vaughn said.
Chief Vaughn was shot in the line of duty about a year and a half ago.
Vaughn was shot in the leg by Jeremiah Messner while officers tried to arrest Messner in May of 2022.
Messner was just sentenced to 40 years in prison last June in that case.
Vaughn is a 30-year veteran of Perry Police Dept. leading the department as chief for the last decade or so.
