PERRY, Iowa — During the chaos of a school shooting at Perry High School Thursday, local businesses and community members stepped up to support students and teachers.
One of those businesses, Rainbow International of Des Moines, even sheltered students and faculty as the shooting unfolded.
At 7:40 a.m., about 20 minutes into Karla Holman's shift at Rainbow International, she heard a noise outside.
"We didn't know what that noise was and then all of a sudden, I looked out the window and I had teachers outside ushering children in," Holman said.
Those teachers told Holman and her coworkers they needed a safe place to hide from an active shooter at Perry High School and Middle School. By 7:45 a.m., about 50 students were in the Rainbow International building.
"One of my other coworkers, David, came out and was helping usher upstairs and then another coworker found children behind trees and a teacher next-door to us and ushered them in the back door," Holman said.
Holman and the rest of her team did what they could to make the teachers and students feel safe.
"We got cups and water and made them feel at home and as comfortable as possible," she said.
Holman said she was surprised by how students reacted as the tragic events unfolded right next door.
"Bravo to them: they held it together," Holman said. "Once they [saw] their parents, sometimes that was a different story. But in the environment, they felt safe."