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Officials have identified the sixth-grader killed in a shooting in Perry, Iowa Thursday morning.
11-year-old Ahmir Jolliff died of "multiple gunshot wounds", according to the Iowa State Medical Examiner. Seven others were injured in the shooting.
Police and state officials responded to an active shooter situation that injured multiple people at Perry High School and Middle School just before 7:40 a.m. on Jan. 4, 2024.
Police identified the shooter as 17-year-old Dylan Butler. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation has confirmed Butler died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Butler reportedly had a pump-action shotgun as well as a small caliber handgun.
Law enforcement conducted a systematic approach to clearing the building, during which they located and disarmed an "improvised explosive device," said Mitch Mortdvedt with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.
Of the seven injured, four are students and three are school staff members. Iowa DCI confirmed one of the victims is Perry High School Principal Dan Marburger.
Marburger suffered multiple gunshot wounds in the incident and remains in critical condition. "The investigation thus far confirms Principal Marburger acted selflessly and placed himself in harm’s way in an apparent effort to protect his students," Iowa DCI said in a press release.
Victims were transported to MercyOne and UnityPoint hospitals following the shooting, company representatives confirmed. Only Marburger and two students remain hospitalized as of Friday afternoon, while the others have been treated and released.
Iowa DCI says the investigation remains ongoing.
"Investigators have seized large volumes of digital and social media evidence that will take time to review," Iowa DCI said in the press release. "Background investigations, as well as eyewitness accounts and victim interviews, are continuing."
The high school is located at 1200 18th Street in Perry and hadn't yet opened for the day when the shooting began.
Dallas County Sheriff Adam Infante said there is no ongoing threat to the public as of 10 a.m. Thursday.
It was the first day of the spring semester, according to the district's 2024 calendar. Following the shooting, the district announced Friday that Perry high school students not return to school next week. Students at Perry Elementary School will return on Friday, Jan. 12 at the earliest. Any changes will be shared with parents and guardians, as well as on the schools' websites.
While the schools are closed, the district is offering a grab-and-go lunch service at Perry Elementary School each day from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) campus in Perry is closed through the weekend, issuing the following statement:
"Our thoughts are with the Perry community and the student and staff affected by the tragic shooting incident this morning. We are monitoring the situation closely for further developments. The DMACC Perry VanKirk Center is closed and will remain closed through the weekend. All other DMACC campuses and locations are operating as normal. We are working to provide resources to affected staff and students. Further updates will be posted at dmacc.edu."
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