Gunman dead after multiple people shot at Perry High School in Iowa: Live updates

The gunman who shot multiple people at a high school in Iowa on Thursday is dead, according to multiple media reports.

The Associated Press, citing a law enforcement official who was not authorized to speak publicly on the investigation, reported that authorities believe the shooter died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Dallas County Sheriff Adam Infante said at a news conference that the shooting was first reported at 7:37 a.m., shortly before classes at Perry High School were set to begin. Deputies were on scene within seven minutes. He said there were "multiple gunshot victims," but that it's "still unclear exactly how many are injured and what the extent of those are."

While he said police identified the shooter, Infante didn't comment on the condition of the gunman or provide any further details. He said more information will be released within the next few hours.

“There is no further danger to the public. The community is safe,” he said. “We’re just now working backwards trying to figure out everything that happened and make notifications."

UnityPoint Health officials confirmed two gunshot victims from Perry High School were transported via ambulance to Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, about 40 miles southeast of Perry.

Thursday was the first day back for Perry Community School District's more than 1,700 students after the annual winter break, according to the district calendar.

Developments:

∎ All families of the victims transported to Iowa Methodist Medical Center and MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center have been reunited, according to a statement by Polk County Healthcare Systems. Polk County health officials declined to share further details on the status of those patients.

∎ Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, in a statement on X, said "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." She will be at a news conference scheduled for 3 p.m. local time.

∎ LifeServe Blood Center, the main blood provider to hospitals in Dallas County, said in a statement that it's actively sending blood and blood products to Des Moines area medical facilities in response to the Perry High School shooting. The organization urged people to donate blood at its locations throughout Dallas County.

∎ The shooting occurred ahead of the upcoming Iowa caucuses and not far from where Republican candidates were campaigning. Vivek Ramaswamy, a Republican candidate for president, wrote on X "Pray for the community in Perry, Iowa this morning." Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley said, "No parent, student, or teacher should have to wake up and face news about a school shooting. My heart aches for the victims of Perry, Iowa and the entire community."

∎ Staff across all schools in the Perry Community School District have been released to go home, according to a message sent on the districtwide communications system. "Do not return to the building. More information will be available later," the text said.

Student recounts hearing gunshots, barricading a door

Ava Augustus, a senior at Perry High School, told the AP that she was in a counselor's office when she heard three shots ring out. She and others barricaded the door.

“And then we hear ‘He’s down. You can go out,’” Augustus said. ”And I run and you can just see glass everywhere, blood on the floor. I get to my car and they’re taking a girl out of the auditorium who had been shot in her leg.”

Gun control advocacy group denounces school shooting

Brady United Against Gun Violence, one of the nations leading gun control advocacy groups, released a statement Thursday morning on X that said "no child should fear gun violence, especially in a place that is supposed to be safe, like school."

"New year, same horror," said Kris Brown, the president of the nonprofit on social media. "On the first day of Perry High School’s 2024 semester, there is an active shooter. Schools should be for learning, and that doesn't mean learning how to dodge bullets."

In 2023, the number of school shootings in the U.S. hit a record high for the second year in a row. There were 188 shootings with casualties at public and private elementary schools during the 2021-22 school year, according to new federal data. About two-thirds of them caused injuries; fifty-seven led to deaths. 

White House press secretary calls shooting 'senseless'

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said President Joe Biden is tracking the school shooting in Iowa. “Our hearts break for the families of the victims in yet another act of senseless gun violence,” she said.

White House staff have been in touch with the governor’s office, and federal officials are working with local law enforcement to support their investigation, Jean-Pierre said.

“It’s only the fourth day in the new year, and we are already faced with yet another horrific school shooting,” she said. “And the question we ask is `When will enough be enough?’...We cannot allow these tragedies to continue. We have to do something.”

– Michael Collins

Iowa lawmakers weigh in on school shooting in Perry

U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn, who represents Perry in Congress, said he was "beyond angry" about the shooting.

"My heart, and my commitment to holding those accountable, is with the community of Perry. We have a duty to protect our children, families, and educators," Nunn said in a statement. "I remain in touch with first responders and local leaders in Perry, and I will continue to monitor the situation closely. We will not rest until there is full accountability for this heinous act of violence."

State Sen. Pam Jochum, D-Dubuque, opened her remarks at a legislative forum Thursday morning by addressing the shooting.

"I want to start by just extending condolences to those in Perry, Iowa," Jochum said. "I know that we are still waiting for more details on what happened there, but I think I can speak for all the Democrats and actually everybody in the state of Iowa that our hearts go out to the families, whatever has occurred there. And we will wait for more detail on that as well."

Iowa's U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley wrote on social media Thursday that the "Perry community is strong" and pledged to help if additional federal resources were needed. 

"Today's appalling violence at Perry HS is heartbreaking," Grassley wrote. "Barbara and I are grateful for quick response by school officials & law enforcement to protect students (and) restore safety."

Perry canceled classes Friday; vigils scheduled

The Perry Community School District canceled classes for Friday, according to its districtwide communication system. Counseling services will be available at the Perry Public Library from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday.

The New Day Assembly of God, at 2313 First Ave., has invited the community to come together at the sanctuary at 6 p.m. Thursday. A prayer vigil will be held at Wiese Park, 1800 Pattee St., at 6 p.m. Another will be held at 7 p.m. at Crossroads Church, 2810 First Ave.

Student said she heard gunshots and ran

Rachael Kares, an 18-year-old senior, was wrapping up jazz band practice at 7:37 a.m. – she had just looked at her watch – when she and her bandmates heard what she described as four gunshots, spaced apart.

“We all just jumped,” Kares said. “My band teacher looked at us and yelled, ‘Run!’ So we ran.”

Kares and many others from the school ran out past the football field, as she heard people yelling, “Get out! Get out!” She said she heard additional shots as she ran, but didn’t know how many. She was more concerned about getting home to her 3-year-old son.

“At that moment I didn’t care about anything except getting out because I had to get home with my son,” she said.

Father says his son was injured in shooting

Kevin Shelley told the Des Moines Register that his son, Zander, 15, was grazed by two bullets while in a school hallway. He left the school at about 8:30 a.m. and went to his nearby home, Kevin Shelley said. He described his son's injuries as minor.

Kevin Shelley said his son said he saw an administrator get shot.

"My son was inside, said he heard gunshots and immediately started running," Kevin Shelley said. "They got into a classroom with a teacher that kept them hidden and safe."

Zander broke his glasses as he was running away, his father said.

Parents pick up students outside multiple area schools

Parents started arriving at about 8:50 a.m. to pick up students at the high school and neighboring middle and elementary schools.

City spokesperson Chris Cohea said the elementary school nearby was locked down and all students there are being kept in their rooms.

Erica Jolliff told the Associated Press that her daughter, a ninth grader, reported getting rushed from the school grounds at 7:45 am. Jolliff was still searching for her son Amir, a sixth grader, one hour later.

“I just want to know that he’s safe and OK,” Jolliff told the outlet. “They won’t tell me nothing.”

Perry is a city along the North Raccoon River with a population of about 7,836, according to the 2020 Census.

Contributing: Associated Press