Iowa School Shooting: Sixth Grade Student Dead, 5 Injured in Horrific Attack
A student was killed, and five people were injured in an Iowa school shooting on Thursday morning, according to officials. CHRISTIAN MONTERROSA/AFP via Getty Images

In a heartbreaking incident on Thursday morning, a 17-year-old student opened fire during an Iowa school shooting at Perry High School, resulting in six people being hit before the assailant took his own life, according to the Des Moines Register.

The sad event occurred just 20 minutes before the school day commenced, during a breakfast program that included students from the adjoining middle school.

Regrettably, one of the Iowa school shooting victims, a sixth-grade student, lost their life in the incident, while five others, including a school administrator, sustained injuries.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, addressing the media, expressed the deep impact of the tragic event on the entire state, acknowledging the swift response of law enforcement as instrumental in preventing further loss of life.

Approximately 150 law enforcement officers from various agencies, local, county, state, and federal, responded promptly to the incident.

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation has taken charge of the ongoing investigation.

In a display of solidarity with the affected community, Governor Reynolds ordered all flags in Iowa to be flown at half-staff until Sunday's sunset.

The governor emphasized the need for support for the students, families, teachers, and staff at Perry High School and the wider Perry community following the Iowa school shooting.

The Iowa School Shooting

The Iowa school shooting unfolded at 7:37 AM local time, just before the start of classes after the winter break, per Fox News.

Police received reports of gunfire, and within seven minutes, officers arrived at the scene, discovering multiple gunshot victims.

The alleged Iowa shooting suspect, identified as 17-year-old Dylan Butler, was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Four surviving Iowa school shooting victims, including a school administrator and students, were transported to hospitals.

One is in critical but stable condition, while the others are reported to be stable.

Authorities also uncovered a "rudimentary" makeshift explosive device inside the school, promptly neutralizing the potential threat.

The investigation involves collaboration among the sheriff's office, Perry Police Department, FBI, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).

Iowa Shooting Suspect's Social Media Post

Butler, armed with a pump-action shotgun and a small-caliber handgun, had posted cryptic messages on social media around the time of the incident.

The Iowa shooting suspect posted a chilling message on TikTok, stating, "Now we wait," according to state police and reliable sources, the NY Post reports.

Officials have not disclosed the victims' identities, but reports suggest one injured party is Principal Dan Marburger. Mortvedt emphasized that all signs point to Butler acting alone.

Butler's social media accounts were swiftly taken down following the tragic incident.

As the small town of Perry, located 40 miles northwest of Des Moines, grapples with the aftermath, condolences pour in from officials, with Chief Eric Vaughn of the Perry Police Department urging thoughts and prayers for the victims and their families.

Amidst the tragedy, the incident drew attention as presidential candidates and the national media focused on Iowa ahead of the upcoming caucuses.

The White House has been notified about the Iowa school shooting, and the FBI is collaborating with local authorities in the ongoing investigation.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Perry, Iowa high school shooting; at least 1 dead - From ABC News