Multiple Injured In Perry High School Shooting

 

On the first day back to school after winter break, before the school day began, an active shooter investigation was confirmed at the high school in Dallas County. Police have reported multiple injuries. Follow for updates.In brief

At this time, the active shooter situation at Perry High School has ended. There are not yet confirmed details on victims and those involved. Des Moines area hospitals have reported caring for multiple victims.

About the area
Perry, Iowa is a town of around 8,000 in Dallas County, situated around 40 miles northwest of the capital city of Des Moines. It is considered part of the Des Moines metro area.

The Perry Community School District serves 1,785 students in its elementary, middle and high school. Perry High School is the only high school in the Perry Community School District. The high school is a minority-majority school, serving a 64% minority population.

Perry is one of several spots around the U.S. with a growing Latino population.

Gov. Kim Reynolds has called the Thursday morning shooting at Perry High School a “senseless tragedy” in a social media post.

“Our prayers are with the students, teachers & families of the Perry community,” she wrote. “I have been in contact with law enforcement agencies & am continuing to monitor the situation. I will be joining their press conference today.”

Sen. Chuck Grassley called the shooting “appalling.”

Top Democrats in the Iowa Legislature say their hearts go out to families affected by a shooting.

House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst and Senate Minority Leader Pam Jochum say it’s too soon to say how Iowa’s gun policies may have affected the incident.

There are very few details available about the shooting in Perry.

“We’re focused on monitoring what’s happening there,” Konfrst said. “I’d rather keep the students and the faculty and the families as the focus right now on the Perry incident until we know what happened.”

Konfirst and Jochum made their comments Thursday morning at a forum hosted by the Iowa Capitol Press Association. Republican leaders were invited, but declined to participate.

For those looking for or needing support right now, the following support spaces and events are currently planned:

Vigils and prayer services:

• 2 p.m. Thursday: Perry Lutheran Homes, all three locations, offering prayer service.
• 6 p.m. Thursday: New Day Assembly of God is offering an open invitation to anyone who wants or needs to be around others to gather at the church. The church is located at 2313 1st Ave. in Perry.
• 7 p.m. Thursday: The Crossroads Church in Perry, led by Pastor Rick Gates, is planning a prayer vigil. The church is asking for volunteers to set up and tear down, according to the church's Facebook page. The church is located at 2810 1st Ave. in Perry.

Counseling:

• The Perry Public Library is offering counseling services as follows:
  
• Thursday, Jan. 4
• Friday, Jan. 5 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
• Saturday, Jan. 6

• For those wanting to support the Perry community, here’s a developing list of ways to help and resources for support:

  • Liveserve Blood Center is reporting that it is actively sending blood and blood products to Des Moines area hospitals in response to the shooting at Perry High School. Individuals interested in responding to this tragedy are encouraged to schedule an appointment or walk-in to donate blood at any of their LifeServe Blood Center locations to help replenish the products being used.

  Perry Elementary will not have school tomorrow.

At a news conference held at 10 a.m., officials said Perry police found multiple people injured upon arriving at the scene, seven minutes after being notified at 7:37 a.m. there was an active shooter at the school.

The extent of injuries is unknown.

Police said the incident began before school started that day, and not many students or faculty were in the building when it occurred. It was the first day of school for Perry students following the winter break.

Police have identified the shooter, but did not confirm their current status, or if any victims have died.
There is no further danger to the public, they say.

There will be another update later on Thursday. Police say reunification centers have been established and believe most kids have been reunited with parents.

West Des Moines Police, Urbandale Police, Granger EMS, Iowa State Patrol are all responding to the scene. A media conference is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.

7:37 a.m. - A possible shooting was first reported at Perry High School.

8:25 - The middle school was cleared.

8:27 - A second team was deployed to the high school to clear the school.

8:32 - The elementary school was evacuated and dismissed.

Both the Perry middle and elementary schools are clear.