Live Update Perry High School shooting

 PERRY, Iowa —

Police in Perry, Iowa, say multiple people were shot at the city’s high school Thursday, before classes started on students’ first day back from winter break.

Two gunshot victims were taken by ambulance to Iowa Methodist Medical Center in the state capital of Des Moines, about 40 miles southeast of Perry, a community of about 8,000 people. Dallas County Sheriff Adam Infante said the shooting occurred before school was set to start, so there were few students and faculty in Perry High School.

The suspect in the shooting has died of what investigators believe is a self-inflicted gunshot wound, a law enforcement official told the Associated Press. The official was not authorized to publicly discuss details of the investigation and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.

Infante spoke at a brief news conference in Perry at 10 a.m., during which he said authorities had identified the shooter but declined to name them. He said they were still determining how many people were shot, and declined to provide updates on the condition of those wounded, but did say there was no further danger to the public.

The next news conference is scheduled for 3 p.m. in Perry, according to Mitch Mortvedt, assistant director of Iowa DCI.

A spokeperson for UnityPoint Health, which operates the Des Moines hospital, confirmed the two gunshot victims arriving there.

The White House is aware of and tracking reports of a shooting at Perry High School in Iowa, an official told CNN.

Police respond to Perry High School in Perry, Iowa., Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024. Police say there has been a shooting at the city's high school.(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)Iowa leaders, elected officials react to Perry High School shooting

Perry High School teacher Lori Meinecke said she heard about six to seven gunshots around 7:40 a.m., followed by the voices of several school coaches encouraging everyone to evacuate the area, according to Raccoon Valley Radio.

WATCH: Officials provide details on Perry High Sch

School shooting

FBI agents from the Omaha-Des Moines office were on scene to help with the investigation led by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

“There are a bunch of speculative numbers floating around,” said Dirk Cavanaugh, Perry’s mayor. “We have no confirmed numbers of who was involved yet.”

Phone messages left with the Perry School Board’s president and vice president, and an email message left with Superintendent Clark Wicks, were not immediately returned.

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.”

More about Perry, Iowa

Perry is a Dallas County town with a population of about 8,000, located nearly 40 miles northwest of Des Moines. The school district has about 1,800 total students, with about 575 in grades 9-12.

The town of Perry is more diverse than Iowa as a whole, with census figures showing that 31% of the residents are Hispanic, compared to less than 7% for the state. Those figures also show that nearly 19% of the town’s residents were born outside the U.S.

Perry schools closed Friday; counselors available

Classes are canceled at Perry schools on Friday. Counseling services will be available at Perry Public Library, 1101 Willis Ave, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday for anyone in need.

Chaplains from the Des Moines Police Department were also on the scene Thursday to support families in whatever way they need.

DMACC closes Perry campus through Sunday

DMACC officials have closed the VanKirk Center in Perry through Sunday, Jan. 7. All other DMACC campuses and locations are operating normally, according to a news release.

Parents say 15-year-old son was wounded in Perry school shooting

Kevin Shelley, who drives a garbage truck and said he has two kids who go to Perry High School, told his boss he had to run. “It was the most scared I’ve been in my entire life,” he said.

Zander Shelley, 15, was in a hallway waiting for the school day to start when he heard gunshots and dashed into a classroom, according to his father, Kevin Shelley. Zander was grazed twice and hid in the classroom before texting his father at 7:36 a.m.

Kevin Shelley said they took Zander to Iowa Methodist Medical Center, where he's bei

ng checked out and treated.

Iowa State Education Association: 'We are heartbroken'

Iowa State Education Association released the following statement Thursday morning from president Mike Beranek and vice president Joshua Brown:

"We are heartbroken by this tragedy and know that words cannot express the sorrow we feel for the victims and the pain that everyone in the community feels. Like schools across the state, Perry High School is a place for learning, growth, and friendship. Iowa’s public schools are the heart of all our communities; today, our hearts are shattered.

"We will continue to be a source of strength for one another during this challenging time, and in the face of this tragedy and so many before it, it is helpful to remember the values that truly bind us together – resilience, hope, and love."

DMPS: 'Our hearts go out to ... Perry community'

Des Moines Public Schools officials released the following statement Thursday morning:

"Des Moines Public Schools maintains a 24/7/365 security presence throughout the district, which ranges from cameras and other technology to the design of our buildings to our own 15-person public safety staff. While today’s shooting in Perry was isolated, it is a stark reminder about why our investments in these efforts are needed and continue to be enhanced.

"Our hearts go out to our colleagues and everyone in the Perry community. School shootings, no matter where they happen, are always a concern for those of us who work in education as well as our students and our families. Our counselors are available today for students or staff who need a space to talk about their concerns."

Des Moines police spokesperson says 'No community is immune'

Multiple departments were called to the scene, including officials with the Des Moines Police Department.

“That’s one of the big pieces that make this successful. You have the inter-agency training that starts months and years before you have an incident like this. If you are not ready and not planning, you are behind. No community is immune to this," said Sgt. Paul Parizek, with the Des Moines Police Department.

“We can guarantee you that we have seen the swiftest response that you can imagine.”

Parizek described what goes into a response like this to Perry High School.

“Their first task is to go in there and take care of the shooter, if that needs to be taken care of. Then get those victims help. Then you have to go through that entire school to make sure you don’t have a t

hreat there,” he said.

LifeServe Blood Center provides blood for victims

LifeServe Blood Center is actively sending blood and blood products to Des Moines area hospitals in response to the shooting at Perry High School, according to a news release. LifeServe is the sole blood provider to all hospitals in this area.

Individuals interested in responding to this tragedy are encouraged to schedule an appointment or walk-in to donate blood at any of our LifeServe Blood Center locations to help us replenish the products being used.

“Our hearts are with our neighbors in Perry impacted by the horrific situation that continues to develop this morning,” Stacy Sime, LifeServe Blood Center CEO/President, said in a news release. “As the community blood provider, we rely on generous blood donors across our tri-state region to support patients in need but are especially reminded of the importance of donating blood for your neighbors in times of tragedy. We're encouraging community members to donate as soon as they can to help replenish our community blood supply. It's the product on the shelf that saves a patient in need which is why it's so important to have consistent blood donations.”

U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn: 'I'm beyond angry'

Zach Nunn, US Rep. from Iowa's 3rd District, which includes Perry, released the following statement Thursday morning:

“After today’s tragic attack at Perry High School, I’ve remained in close contact with first-responders who have indicated to me that the school is now secure.

As a parent and community member, I’m beyond angry. My heart, and my commitment to holding those accountable, is with the community of Perry. We have a duty to protect our children, families, and educators.

I remain in touch with first responders and local leaders in Perry, and I will continue to monitor the situation closely. We will not rest until there is full accountability for this heinous act of violence.”

This story will be updated. Information from the Associated Press was used in this article.

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What we know about the Perry High School active situation