Perry, Iowa – An 11-year-old sixth-grade student tragically lost his life in a mass shooting at Perry High School in rural Iowa. Ahmir Jolliff was identified as the victim of the shooting, which occurred on the first day back from winter break. Jolliff was one of eight individuals who were shot at the combined high school and middle school, located 40 miles northwest of Des Moines. According to the Iowa Department of Public Safety, the incident was described as “horrific.”
The state DPS also reported that three staff members and four other pupils sustained injuries of varying degrees in the shooting. The suspected shooter, 17-year-old Dylan Butler, a student at the high school, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities confirmed. Jolliff, known as “Smiley” at home, was described as an outgoing person who was beloved by many. Perry High School Principal Dan Marburger, who attempted to protect his students during the shooting, remains in critical condition, according to the agency.
The tragic event has left the community in shock and mourning. Jolliff, an avid soccer player and choir singer, was excited to return to school after the holidays, according to his mother. The Uvalde Foundation For Kids, a national nonprofit organization formed in response to a school shooting in Texas, announced that it has started an emergency fund to assist with Marburger’s medical bills in recognition of his selfless actions during the shooting.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to determine what additional courses of action, if any, should be taken. The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, and the case has sparked discussions about school safety and the impact of bullying. It is a somber reminder of the devastating impact of school shootings, leaving the Perry community and beyond in mourning.