Teenage assailant carries potential explosive to educational facility

According to police, a high school student in Iowa opened fire at Perry High School, injuring six people before taking his own life. Tragically, one of the victims, a sixth-grader, died at the scene, while the school’s principal and four other students were hospitalised for their injuries.

Following the incident, authorities discovered an improvised explosive device during a thorough search of the school. However, the device was later deemed safe by the Iowa fire marshal and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. 

While the police described the explosive device as “rudimentary,” they assured the public that there was no further danger. They did not provide any additional details about the device.

The incident occurred before classes began on the students’ first day back from winter break. Fortunately, the school had few students and faculty present at the time, which may have contributed to a more favourable outcome, according to Dallas County Sheriff Adam Infante.

The FBI is assisting the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation in the ongoing investigation. The attacker, identified as Dylan Butler by local media, was armed with a small-calibre handgun and a pump-action shotgun. Assistant Director Mitch Mortvedt of the Iowa agency commended the swift and immediate response of the 150 officers from local, state, and federal levels who arrived at the scene.

Mortvedt did not disclose a motive for the shooting but mentioned that the investigation would delve into the background of the gunman. He confirmed that the police were working to secure evidence from the social media posts made by the shooter around the time of the incident.

The incident was brought to the attention of the White House, prompting an immediate call for gun control legislation. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre expressed concern over yet another devastating school shooting, questioning when the nation will finally reach a breaking point. 

In Iowa, individuals looking to purchase firearms must either obtain a permit or undergo a background check. The minimum age requirement for buying a handgun is 21, while for shotguns it is 18. This suggests that the weapons used by the teenage shooter may not have been acquired through legal means.