Classes Canceled After Iowa Gunman Attacks Campus

Update: Monday, January 8, 2024

The 17-year-old shooter in Perry, Iowa, accessed his Discord internet chat account “took2much” to describe his intent “gearing up” before his attack on fellow students at the high school. Shot three times, sixth-grader Ahmir Jolliff, 11, was killed in the attack, while four others were injured, including principal Dan Marburger.

The shooter died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Clearly, from the messages the shooter posted, he had every intent on mayhem on campus that day. Included in his postings, “I’m f------ nervous, I’m the bathroom gearing up.” His messages also included a racial slur, “There’s a n----- in the bathroom, I need him to leave so I can assemble my guns.”

A Discord spokesperson said the online chat room said the company had taken action against the shooters account, and later released this statement.

“Our deepest sympathies are with the victims, their families, and the community in Perry, Iowa following yesterday’s horrific shooting. Discord has a zero-tolerance policy against content that glorifies violence and violent extremism, which is reflected in our Community Guidelines. We took immediate action against the suspect and his content, and are currently cooperating with law enforcement to assist them in their continuing investigation.”

UPDATE: 3:34 p.m. CT

Authorities in Iowa have identified the shooter at Perry High School as 17-year-old Dylan Butler, as the shooter at the campus where one student was killed. A sixth-grade student at Perry Middle School was killed in the shooting.

The middle school is connected to the high school. Responding police officers found the shooter dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Officers also found a “rudimentary” IED, which was disarmed without incident.

Five people were injured in the shooting, including a school administrator. One of the students is in critical condition. Law enforcement responded within 7 minutes of the alert from school officials.

This story will be updated as new items become available.


Dylan Butler

12:04 p.m. CT

Classes have been canceled at Perry High School, Iowa, as well as students dismissed from other K-12 facilities after an armed attacker opened fire inside a rural Iowa high school on the first day back from winter break Thursday morning. At least one student is reportedly dead from the shooting.

The shooter shot at and hit two students and administrator, before turning the gun on himself. There are multiple gunshot victims reported. The shooting started at 7:47 a.m. central time, when very few students and faculty were in the building.

Local law enforcement converged on the building, heavily armed and expecting a confrontation with the gunman. Parents and students were reunited following the shooting at the McCreary Community Building. Perry High School is located about 40 miles northwest of Des Moines.

An early morning jazz band practice was disrupted when the instructor told the musicians to run, after hearing four gunshots.

Authorities have declined at this point to say how many people were shot other than one fatality. Details on the shooter were not provided either. Two gunshot victims were taken by ambulance to Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, according to a spokesperson for UnityPoint Health.

The high school campus also is shared by middle school students, and campus officials states there is no longer any threat to the public. Perry High School is located in a community of about 8,000 people.

Reports have surfaced that principal Dan Marburger had been shot, but not confirmed in this evolving incident. More details will be updated as they become available.

About the Author

Ralph C. Jensen is the Publisher of Security Today magazine.

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