PERRY, Iowa — The Iowa Department of Public Safety is sharing more details regarding law enforcement's response to a deadly school shooting in Perry in January.
On Thursday, Jan. 4, 17-year-old Perry High School student Dylan Butler shot and killed two people and injured six before taking his own life.
Dallas County Attorney Jeannine Richie released a five-page report Thursday, detailing a timeline of the shooting and the investigation that followed.
Iowa DPS Commissioner Stephan Bayens corroborated many of those details Friday and expressed gratitude to first responders and school staff who sprung into action.
"I can confirm that the factual statements contained in that report are accurate and consistent with our investigation," Bayens said at a Friday press conference. "The investigation conducted by the Division of Criminal Investigation was purely criminal in nature. It was not an audit or a review of processes or the response by any party during the shooting or in the aftermath."
Here are the other takeaways from the DPS press conference.
How did law enforcement respond?
Perry police officers were "fierce protectors" in their response to the shooting at Perry High School on Jan. 4, Bayens said.
Bayens had special praise for Ofc. Micaela Zagar, who was inside the school just two minutes and 59 seconds after the SEARS radio was activated.
"She did not wait for backup, she did not wait for a supervisor," Bayens said. "She was through those doors, and she was there to protect those kids inside."
As soon as officers realized the shooter was no longer a threat, Bayens said they seamlessly switched into a caregiver role.
"It's remarkable to see folks that can go from a lion to a lamb, go from willing to take a life if they have to, to do everything in their power to preserve it," he said.
In addition, Bayens said staff and students at Perry High School responded "heroically and appropriately."
Among those staff was Principal Dan Marburger, who lost his life after trying to protect students during the shooting.
"He was heroic," Bayens said. "I can tell you that he saved lives that day."
What did the investigation look like?
Throughout the course of the investigation, Bayens estimated the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation interviewed more than 180 people, reviewed terabytes of digital evidence, watched hours of video footage and more.
The investigation also included "meticulous" crime scene processing, the execution of multiple search warrants and a full scrub of the shooter's online presence.
"This investigation ranks among the most exhaustive and complex investigations the DCI has undertaken in its 100 year history," Bayens said.
He also expressed gratitude to the agents, analysts and criminalists who relentlessly worked the case.
"I know the toll it took. It took a toll on them physically, it took a toll on them emotionally... but they carried on, and it carried on because they have a calling to pursue justice," he said.
What do we know about the shooter?
Based on the extensive investigation, Bayens said Dylan Butler had no ideological motivation to commit the shooting. In fact, he did not seem to have any cohesive belief system.
"This shooter was disjointed, fractured and inconsistent in thought," Bayens said.
Investigators found no evidence of bullying or grievances that may have led Butler to carry out the shooting.
Bayens and investigators believe the shooting was motivated by suicidal ideation and a desire for notoriety.
"He desired to be famous. He desired to commit suicide. He desired to take others with him," Bayens said.
Butler had documented behavioral issues and mental health concerns prior to the shooting. In addition, he had an interest in school shootings and a "fascination" with violence, Bayens said.
While no one knew Butler planned to carry out the shooting, Bayens said there were warning signs that went unreported or otherwise unrecognized.
How did the shooter get the gun?
The shooter used a Remington 870 shotgun during the shooting at Perry High School. However, despite significant investigative efforts, law enforcement was unable to identify how Butler got the gun.
The gun was first purchased approximately 20 years before the shooting, Bayens said.
Law enforcement traced the weapon through several successive purchases. Eventually, the gun went to private sale, where the trail went cold.
Bayens noted the last time investigators could tie the shotgun to any individual owner was 10 to 15 years ago.
The weapon did not come from Butler's parents' home. At this time, investigators believe the shotgun likely came from a large gun collection within the extended family without the owner's knowledge.
The shooter also had a second gun that was not used in the Perry school shooting. The gun, a revolver, was legally purchased by the shooter's father in 2020 and was unsecured in the family home.