[Baltimore Sun] Harrowing details emerge about deadly Iowa school shooting
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The 17-year-old boy suspected of opening fire at Perry High School in Iowa earlier this year did so because he wanted notoriety, the state’s Department of Public Safety announced Friday.
The suspect, Dylan Butler, a student at the school, took his own life four minutes and 21 seconds after he initially opened fire in the school cafeteria on Jan. 4.
“He desired to be famous,” the Iowa Department of Public Safety said during a media briefing.
Authorities said Butler was armed with a pump-action shotgun and a small-caliber handgun when he shot and killed the school principal and an 11-year-old boy, as well as injured seven other people. Butler died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
In the final report on the school shooting, Dallas County Attorney Jeannine Ritchie said Butler acted alone in planning and carrying out the shooting.
“There is no evidence that anyone had specific knowledge of Butler’s plans or knowingly provided him with fundamental support or resources before or during the event on that day,” according to Ritchie. “The evidence suggests his actions that morning were indiscriminate and driven by a desire to commit suicide with the hostile intent of taking others with him.”
Ritchie said investigators interviewed more than 180 people, including family, friends, and witnesses, and pored over electronic and social media data, along with video captured at the school that day.
Investigators could not pinpoint the origin of the shotgun used in the shooting. The report said it “remains unconfirmed and may never be substantiated despite exhaustive investigative effort.” They believe it did not come from Butler’s home and that wherever it was taken, it was without the owner’s knowledge.
The report also states Butler walked into the school concealing the shotgun and waited in the bathroom before exiting and firing in the cafeteria while more than 50 students were inside.
According to the report, 11-year-old Ahmir Jolliff was killed within 24 seconds. Four other students who were shot managed to flee the school on their own.
Assistant Principal Brad Snowgren was able to activate the Emergency Alert Response System to notify police.
Principal Dan Marburger tried to call out to Butler, by name, to get him to stop, but Butler continued to fire, and Marburger took cover.
“Dylan, don’t do it,” the principal said.
Less than two minutes later, Marburger again urged Butler to stop, but Butler shot him in response. Marburger was able to leave the school, but he died from his injuries 10 days later.
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