Iowa school shooting: 1 killed, 5 injured in high school attack
A 17-year-old student opened fire at Perry High School in Iowa on Friday morning, killing one sixth-grader and injuring five others before being shot and killed by police.
The motive remains unknown, leaving a community in shock and mourning.
Chaos erupted at 7:37 a.m. as Dylan Butler, armed with a shotgun and pistol, fired shots inside the school. Students reportedly barricaded themselves in classrooms and fled in panic.
"He was the one who shot our administrator and many students. But still, he's just a kid. He was a good person. He was there for us when we needed him, and we were there for him. But apparently, we didn't do enough," said a former classmate of the attacker.
Authorities quickly secured the scene and confirmed six victims: one fatality, a sixth-grader identified as a student at nearby Perry Middle School, and five injured – four students and a school administrator.
"The victims were transported to area hospitals and are receiving medical care," said Mitch Mortvedt, assistant director of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. "All evidence suggests at this time that Mr. Butler acted alone."
Governor Kim Reynolds offered condolences to the community, stating, "Our hearts are broken, and our prayers are with the Perry community. This affects everything we hold dear. This tragedy shakes our entire state. I want every person in our community to know that we are with you. It is impossible to understand how something like this could happen. We will work tirelessly to find answers and prevent any further attacks like this."
The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, and a search for the motive continues. Friends of the attacker described him as a "good person," expressing shock and confusion at his actions.
This tragedy casts a dark shadow over Perry, a small town of 7,800 residents located roughly 64 miles from the state capital. As the community grapples with grief and seeks answers, the question of how to prevent such violence remains uppermost in everyone's minds.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
