Iowa high school shooting: Student kills sixth grader, injures five others

In yet another school shooting in the US, a 17-year-old teenager killed a sixth grader while five others were left injured in thestate of Iowa, media reports said. Among the injured were four students and a school administrator. The incident took place at Perry High School in the morning hours of Thursday (Jan 4) local time.The suspect teenager also succumbed to self-inflicted injuries during the gunfire, reports said citing officials.

At a news conference following the horrific incident, assistant director of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Mitch Mortvedt said that the suspect teenager was identified as Dylan Butler.The motive behind the act is still unclear and authorities are investigating the matter.

Moreover, the identities of the victims, except the injured school administrator, in the shooting havealso not been revealed. The administrator was identified by Easton Valley Community School District as the principal at Perry High School, Dan Marburger.

Thursday was when the winter break at the school ended and the second semester kicked off. The incident took place days ahead of the Iowa Republican presidential caucuses which is due to be held on January 15, 2024.

'Last straw'

Media reports quotedtwo 17-year-old siblings, Yesenia Roeder and Khamya Hall,as saying that the shooter was subjected to bullying at the school along with his younger sister.The students alleged that the school officials failed to act on the matter and that acted as the “last straw” forButler.

Though the victims were hit by gunshots, the police authorities also found, what is being dubbed as a “rudimentary” improvised explosive.

However, the agents with the state fire marshal and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives rendered the device "safe".

(With inputs from agencies)