Perry, Iowa – The community is grieving the loss of a 14-year-old student and the injuries sustained by five others following a tragic school shooting. The gunman, 17-year-old Dylan Butler, took his own life after the attack at Perry High School. According to former classmates, Butler had been relentlessly bullied since elementary school, with the situation escalating recently when his younger sister also became a target. The shooter’s former classmates claimed that school officials did not intervene, which they believe was the breaking point for Butler.
The motive behind the shooting is currently under investigation, and authorities are examining social media posts made by the suspect before the incident. Moments before the shooting, Butler posted a video on TikTok with a caption that read “now we wait,” accompanied by the song “Stray Bullet” by the German band KMFDM. The 11-year-old victim, Ahmir Jolliff, is remembered by loved ones as a joyful boy known as “Smiley.”
Classes at Perry High School were canceled on Friday to allow the students and the community time to grieve. Governor Kim Reynolds expressed condolences, stating that “Our hearts are heavy today, and our prayers are with the Perry community. This senseless tragedy has shaken our entire state to the core.”
Many have called for increased security measures at schools, highlighting the need to prioritize the safety of students while they are in the classroom. Principal Dan Marburger, who was injured in the attack, has been described as a friendly figure eager to connect with and support students. The incident has also sparked discussions about gun control, with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis emphasizing that it is a local and state issue. Sheriff Adam Infante revealed that there were only a few students at the school when the shooting occurred, which may have contributed to a better outcome.
The Perry community is left to grapple with the aftermath of this tragic event, while authorities continue to investigate the motive behind the attack. The impact of the shooting has reverberated through the entire state of Iowa, prompting discussions about student safety and the need for proactive measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.