Three injured in Perry, Iowa high school shooting

Update:

• – A sixth grader who was injured in the attack has died.

• – The number of people injured in the shooting has increased to six. This includes five students and the school’s principal.

Original:

At least three people have been injured in a shooting at a high school in Perry, Iowa, according to authorities.

The victims include two students, and an administrator who were taken to the MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center. The exact status of their injuries remains unknown, but there are reports of a fatal injury.

The incident is being investigated and Police are to hold a press conference later in the morning. The suspect has been identified as a student but his identity has not been publicly released.

According to reports, the suspect ended up killing himself with a gunshot, and Police have taken control of the situation.

Police were alerted about a possible shooting at around 7:37AM and reached the scene in around 7 minutes, according to Dallas County Sheriff Adam Infante. It took authorities around 35 minutes to subdue the threat. Streets were seen barricaded and a medical helicopter was also seen landing at the school.

Multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and ATF, responded to the incident.

The shooting began just 18 minutes before school was to start after the winter break. Not many students or staff members were present at the scene.

Reacting to the tragic incident, Iowa Rep. Zach Nunn said he is “beyond angry” and “we have a duty to protect our children, families, and educators.” Senator Chuck Grassley took to X as well and said the “appalling violence at Perry high school is heartbreaking.”

President Biden and AG Merrick Garland have been briefed on the situation. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has called the shooting a “senseless tragedy.”

Our hearts are broken by this senseless tragedy. Our prayers are with the students, teachers & families of the Perry Community.

I have been in contact with law enforcement agencies & am continuing to monitor the situation. I will be joining their press conference today.

Gov. Kim Reynolds wrote on X.

The Perry Community School District has canceled all classes on Friday and counseling services will be available at the Perry Public Library today till 3PM. Teachers have been told to go home, and prayer vigils are also being scheduled.