PERRY, Iowa — A tragic event unfolded at a small-town Iowa high school following the winter break, as a 17-year-old student opened fire on the first day of school, resulting in the death of a sixth-grader and the injury of seven others, including students and staff members.
The Perry schools superintendent, Clark Wicks, announced that classes for students at Perry High School will be canceled for the entire following week. The earliest resumption of classes for elementary and middle school students will be on Friday, Jan. 12.
The shooter, identified as 17-year-old Dylan Butler, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. As of Friday, Principal Dan Marburger and two students remained hospitalized due to injuries sustained during the shooting. Authorities have not disclosed any information about the possible motive or how the shooter obtained the firearms.
The tragic incident has deeply affected the community, sparking various responses and support efforts such as a vigil at a local park and a teddy bear drive organized by a Boy Scout troop.
The entire community is still grappling with the aftermath of the shooting, and families of the victims continue to provide updates while authorities work to provide details on the investigation and the response to the tragic event.
In summary, the community of Perry, Iowa, is in mourning after a devastating school shooting that resulted in the loss of a young life and left several others wounded. The authorities are continuing their investigation to understand the circumstances behind this tragic event.