The extent of injuries or information about a suspect has not been released by the Dallas County sheriff, who assured that there is no longer a threat to the public.
The police in Perry, Iowa, revealed a harrowing incident on a Thursday morning, as students returned to school after their winter break. Reports indicated a school shooting at Perry High School, situated approximately 40 miles northwest of Des Moines. Sheriff Adam Infante addressed the media during a news conference, disclosing that there were multiple victims. Fortunately, the shooting occurred just before the school day began, minimizing the number of students and faculty present.
According to Sheriff Infante, a call reporting an active shooter came in just after 7:30 a.m. Emergency responders swiftly arrived at the scene, managing to reach Perry High School within seven minutes. Infante assured the public that there was no ongoing threat, though he refrained from confirming whether the shooter was dead or apprehended. He did confirm the identification of the shooter but withheld the identity from the public.
Ava Augustus, a senior at Perry High School, recounted her experience, stating that she was in her counselor’s office when she heard three gunshots. Once the all-clear was given, she witnessed a student being taken out of the auditorium with a gunshot wound to the leg. The aftermath revealed shattered glass and blood on the floor.
Jody Kurth, a parent, shared her distressing account, explaining that her stepson, a student at Perry High School, was injured in the shooting. She described the morning attack as “an absolute nightmare,” recalling how her daughter informed her about the shooter. Fortunately, both of Kurth’s children were safe.
As the community grappled with the traumatic events, a bus dropped off students from the elementary school at a community center, where anxious parents awaited their children. Amanda Woods, a mother of two, expressed her initial panic upon hearing about the shooting, highlighting the anxiety and fear that permeated the community.
The small town of Perry, with its approximately 8,000 residents, found itself thrust into the national spotlight. Notably, Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy held a scheduled campaign event in Perry amid reports of the shooting. Attendees at the event expressed their fears, and Ramaswamy led a prayer circle, acknowledging the somber mood of the day.
In the midst of the crisis, Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa took to social media, denouncing the “appalling violence” at Perry High School. He expressed gratitude towards school and law enforcement officials for their rapid response.
Shelbie Lehman, a parent attending Ramaswamy’s event, shared her unsettling experience of picking up her first-grade daughter from elementary school after hearing about the high school shooting. She described the scene as intimidating, with numerous police officers present. Lehman acknowledged the difficulty of explaining the situation to her daughter and planned to address it as best as possible later in the day.
As the community grappled with the aftermath, the Perry Community School District announced the closure of the high school, middle school, and elementary school on the following day, allowing time for healing and reflection. The incident cast a somber shadow over the town of Perry, prompting calls for unity and support for those affected by the tragic events.
