Multiple people shot at high school in Perry, Iowa, suspected shooter dead, police say

Perry, Iowa - January 5, 2023

 In a devastating incident that has shaken the community of Perry, Iowa, multiple individuals were shot at Perry High School on Thursday, the students' first day back in classes after their annual winter break. The shooting unfolded before the school day was set to start, resulting in two gunshot victims being rushed to Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, approximately 40 miles southeast of Perry.

 Dallas County Sheriff Adam Infant confirmed that the suspect in the shooting has died, reportedly from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The incident occurred amidst the backdrop of the Iowa caucuses, not far from where Republican presidential candidates were actively campaigning.

 The shooting was reported at 7:37 a.m. on Thursday morning, and law enforcement officers arrived promptly seven minutes later. According to Sheriff Infant, there were few students and faculty present in the school at the time of the incident.

 Zander Shelley, a 15-year-old student, described the chaotic scene as he heard gunshots while waiting in a hallway. He managed to find refuge in a classroom after being grazed twice and promptly alerted his father.

 Rachael Kares, an 18-year-old senior, recalled the terrifying moments during jazz band practice, hearing four gunshots spaced apart. Kares and her bandmates followed their teacher's instruction to run, seeking safety.

 Emergency vehicles surrounded the school building, which houses both the town's middle school and high school. FBI agents from the Omaha-Des Moines office are assisting in the investigation led by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

 The mayor of Perry, Dirk Cavanaugh, emphasized the absence of confirmed numbers regarding those involved in the incident, cautioning against speculative information.

 Distraught parents anxiously awaited information about the safety of their children. Erica Jolliff, whose daughter is a ninth-grader, expressed concern for her son Amir, a sixth-grader, still unaccounted for an hour after the incident.

 Jasmine Augustine, who was near the high school at the time, recounted the swift response of law enforcement and the urgency to leave the area after learning of an active shooter.

 The Perry Community School District, with 1,785 students, is now dealing with the aftermath of this tragic event. The town of Perry, known for its diversity, is home to a significant Hispanic population, making up 31% of residents, according to census figures.

 As the investigation unfolds, the community, state, and nation are left grappling with the aftermath of this senseless act of violence on what should have been a day of hope and new beginnings for students returning from winter break. Messages left with school officials were not immediately returned, leaving the community seeking answers and solace in the wake of this tragic event. See More


 

 

 

 

 


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