Perry High School Shooting
Police in Perry, Iowa, have reported a shooting at Perry High School on Thursday, the day students returned from their annual winter break. The incident took place before the start of classes, at 7:37 a.m., according to the sheriff. Although multiple victims were involved, the sheriff assured the public that there is no longer any danger.
Upon hearing gunshots, 15-year-old Zander Shelley quickly sought refuge in a classroom after being grazed twice. He sent a text message to his father at 7:36 a.m., alerting him of the situation. Zander's father, Kevin Shelley, who works as a garbage truck driver, immediately left work and rushed to his son's side. Kevin described his fear during the ordeal as the most intense he has ever experienced.
Law enforcement, including an extensive number of emergency vehicles, promptly surrounded the school building. The Iowa State Police, led by Sgt. Alex Dinkla, have yet to provide further details about the shooting but have promised an update later in the morning. A media staging area has been established near the high school to deliver updates to the community.
FBI Agents Join Investigation in Perry School Shooting
FBI agents from the Omaha-Des Moines field office have arrived at the scene to assist in the ongoing investigation led by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. The incident, which occurred in Perry, Iowa, has left the community in shock and seeking answers.
Perry Mayor, Dirk Cavanaugh, acknowledges the existence of various speculative figures circulating regarding the number of people involved. However, official confirmation is still pending.
One concerned parent, Erica Jolliff, shares the distressing experience of her daughter, a ninth-grader, being rushed from the school grounds at 7:45 am amid the chaos. Ms. Jolliff, in a state of worry, was frantically searching for her sixth-grade son, Amir, an hour later.
The high school where the shooting took place is part of the Perry Community School District, which caters to approximately 1,785 students. Perry itself is a small town with a population of about 8,000 residents, located approximately 40 miles northwest of Des Moines, the state capital.
The timing of this tragedy is particularly poignant as it unfolded amidst the Iowa caucuses and in close proximity to where Republican candidates were conducting their campaigns. On Monday, January 15th, Iowans were preparing to participate in the caucuses, coinciding with the federal holiday honoring Martin Luther King Jr.
From the Archives (July 2023): Republicans in Iowa Choose Martin Luther King Federal Holiday as Caucus Date
Efforts to reach key officials for comments provide little success so far. Phone calls made to the Perry School Board's president and vice president remain unanswered, and an email sent to Superintendent Clark Wicks has yet to receive a response.
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