At least one person was killed and multiple were injured in a shooting Thursday morning at Perry High School in Iowa, law enforcement officials said.
Multiple law enforcement sources confirmed the shooter is also dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Two people were being treated at Iowa Methodist Medical Center but their conditions are unknown.
Dallas County Sheriff Adam Infante told reporters that the incident was reported after 7:30 a.m. local time and there were “multiple gunshot victims,” though it is unclear at this time how many.
“There is no further danger to the public. The community is safe,” Infante said. “We’re just now working backwards, trying to figure out everything that happened and make notifications.”
Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy was in Perry, Iowa for a campaign event and posted this thoughts were with the community.
“Pray for the community in Perry, Iowa this morning,” he wrote on X.
Parent Erica Jolliff told The Associated Press that her daughter was rushed from the school. Perry Elementary School said there is no school on Friday and counseling services will be available.
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds called the shooting a senseless tragedy and that she was in communication with law enforcement.
“Our hearts are broken by this senseless tragedy. Our prayers are with the students, teachers and families of the Perry Community,” she said. “I have been in contact with law enforcement agencies & am continuing to monitor the situation. I will be joining their press conference today.”
The chair of the Iowa Democratic Party, Rita Hart, said in a statement that all students should be not be “focusing on an escape exit” when in school, calling for stricter gun laws.
“I am so sad and so sorry that the Perry community is living this nightmare that has happened far too often across our country,” she said. “The Perry community deserves better. Iowa deserves better.”
