Accident – Death – Obituary News :

Perry, Iowa High School Shooting Leaves One Dead and Five Injured

PERRY, Iowa — A tragic incident unfolded at a small-town high school in Perry, Iowa, on the first day back to school after the winter break. A 17-year-old student opened fire, resulting in the death of a sixth-grader and leaving five others injured. The horrifying event sent shockwaves through the community as students barricaded themselves in offices, sought refuge in classrooms, and fled in a state of panic.

The suspect, also a student at the Perry school, died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to an official from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. Among the wounded individuals, one was identified as Perry High School Principal Dan Marburger by an Eastern Iowa school district where he had previously graduated from high school.

The shooter, identified as 17-year-old Dylan Butler, had no apparent motive for his actions, leaving authorities puzzled and searching for answers. Perry, a town of approximately 8,000 residents located around 40 miles northwest of Des Moines, lies on the outskirts of the state capital’s metropolitan area. The community is known for its large pork-processing plant and features single-story homes nestled among leafless trees during the winter season. The high school and middle school are situated adjacent to each other on the eastern edge of Perry.

Law enforcement officials disclosed that the shooter was armed with a pump-action shotgun and a small-caliber handgun. During a press conference, Mitch Mortvedt, the assistant director of the state investigation division, revealed that authorities also discovered a crude improvised explosive device, which was promptly rendered safe. The motive behind the attack is currently under investigation, with authorities examining a series of social media posts made by the suspect around the time of the shooting. Although the shootings occurred within the high school premises, it is possible that students from other grades were present for a breakfast program at the time.

.