Perry, Iowa – Former US President Donald Trump expressed his condolences to the families of the victims of the tragic school shooting in Perry, Iowa, calling the incident “terrible” and “horrible”. Speaking at a campaign rally in Sioux Center, Iowa, Trump urged the community to “get over it, we have to move forward” in the wake of the shooting.
The shooting, which took place a few days before the Iowa caucuses, resulted in the death of a sixth-grade student and left seven others injured. The suspected shooter, a 17-year-old student named Dylan Butler, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to officials.
Following Trump’s remarks, social media users criticized the former president for being “incredibly insensitive” and lacking empathy for the families affected by the tragedy. However, Trump’s GOP rivals campaigning in the state also weighed in, extending their condolences and calling for mental health reform.
Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley called for mental health reform in light of the shooting, emphasizing the need to address the issue of mental health as a “cancer” in society. Meanwhile, GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy posted a call for prayers and mentioned that guns were not the problem but a symptom of a deeper crisis in society. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis suggested in an interview that shootings are “more of a local and state issue.”
As the community in Perry, Iowa grapples with the aftermath of the tragic shooting, the incident has sparked conversations about the need for mental health reform and addressing deeper societal issues. The tragedy serves as a reminder of the ongoing need to prioritize the well-being and safety of communities, particularly in the face of such devastating events.