Multiple people were shot at Perry High School on Thursday morning, Dallas County Sheriff Adam Infante said at a news conference. Police have identified a shooter, but have not released any more details.
Heavy police and medical presence was seen at the high school, about 40 miles northwest of downtown Des Moines in Dallas County, after reports of a shooting that could include multiple victims.
Streets for several blocks are barricaded, dozens of law enforcement from across central Iowa were on scene and a medical helicopter was seen landing at the school at about 8:30 a.m.
Parents started arriving at about 8:50 a.m. to find their students. City spokesperson Chris Cohea said the elementary school nearby was locked down and all students there were being kept in their rooms.
Perry has a population of about 8,000 residents. The high school is part of the 1,785-student Perry Community School District. The middle school is in the same building. Thursday was the first day back in school for students following the holiday break.
Dallas County Sheriff Adam Infante said police responded to an active shooter early this morning before school started. He said there are multiple injuries but “it’s still unclear exactly how many are injured and what the extent of those are. But we’re working on that right now.”
He said they have confirmed who the shooter was but will not release any other information at this time.
The shooting started at about 7:37 a.m., about 20 minutes before school starts. Infante said the situation could have been much worse if school had been in session at the time of the shooting.
UnityPoint Health officials confirmed two gunshot victims from Perry High School were transported via ambulance to Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines Thursday morning following the incident.
Two teachers said Dan Marburger, the principal of the high school, was shot.
“I work in the school … and two of my three children were supposed to be in the high school at that time,” said Holly Killmer, a teacher for Perry Middle School. “How do you wrap your mind around sending them back into that environment? How do they do that? It’s just so traumatic.”
Killmer said students took shelter at Perry Lutheran Homes, an assisted living community near the school.
“We were told to go home, but we were also told we could get our cars out which is not true — we can’t get our cars out,” Killmer said. “Watching parents come up …. as we’re (evacuating) over here — within minutes, parents pulling in here and screaming and crying and hugging their kids. It was more than I can handle.”
The Perry Community School District has canceled classes Friday, according to its districtwide communication system. Counseling services will be available at the Perry Public Library from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday.
Kevin Shelley said his son, Zander, 15, was grazed by two bullets while in a school hallway. He left the school at about 8:30 a.m. and went to his nearby home, Kevin Shelley said. He described his son’s injuries as minor.
Kevin Shelley said his son said he saw the principal get shot.
“My son was inside, said he heard gunshots and immediately started running,” Kevin Shelley said. “They got into a classroom with a teacher that kept them hidden and safe.”
Zander broke his glasses as he was running away, his father said.
All staff have been released to go home, according to a message sent on the districtwide communications system. “Do not return to the building. More information will be available later,” the text said.
Police expect to give an update to the media at about 10 a.m. in Perry.
Woodward-Granger, a school district about 11 miles east of Perry, is releasing its students early due to the shooting after it was in a shelter-in-place. The “reunification process” with students and parents began at 9 a.m.
The district also has canceled evening activities.
The first call from dispatch was at about 7:37 a.m., according to a recording from the police scanner. Dispatchers said they had access to school cameras and reported seeing something in the west hallway.
A dispatcher advised first responders of “reports of multiple subjects injured at this time.”
An unknown first responder advised dispatchers that he encountered a “male subject down in the hallway — appears to be self-inflicted” and that he was “showing other victims.” He later advised that he was outside of Room 308 and “subject that’s down is deceased.”
Call for two medical helicopters went out at 7:46 a.m.
High school students were evacuated to Perry Lutheran Homes and the Iowa National Guard Armory. Teacher Holly Killmer said the nursing home was so kind and had tissues and snacks out for the students.
Police on scene are telling parents to pick up their students at the elementary school, about a mile west of the high school.
Erica Jolliff said that her daughter, a ninth grader, reported getting rushed from the school grounds at 7:45 am. Distraught, Jolliff was still looking for her son Amir, a sixth grader, one hour later.
“I just want to know that he’s safe and OK,” Jolliff said. “They won’t tell me nothing.”
When reached by phone, Perry School Board member Travis Landgrebe, who has a son in sixth grade, said he could not “confirm nor deny” any reports.
Landgrebe did confirm his son was home and unharmed.
I am “praying for all involved,” Landgrebe told the Des Moines Register in a phone interview.
The Associated Press contributed to this report. This is a developing story and will be updated.
Amanda Smith is a dedicated U.S. correspondent with a passion for uncovering the stories that shape the nation. With a background in political science, she provides in-depth analysis and insightful commentary on domestic affairs, ensuring readers are well-informed about the latest developments across the United States.
