People mourn in Perry, Iowa, on Jan. 4.Photo:Joshua Lott/The Washington Post via Getty
Joshua Lott/The Washington Post via Getty
The sixth-grade student killed duringthe mass shooting at Perry High Schoolin Iowa on Jan. 4 has now been identified as 11-year-old boy Ahmir Jolliff, the Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS) confirmed in anews release.
The high school’s principal, two more staff members and four students were also injured during the shooting, which started in the cafeteria before class started that Wednesday around 7:30 a.m.
“Perry High School Principal Dan Marburger has been identified as having suffered multiple gunshot wounds and remains in critical condition,” DPS said in the release. “The investigation thus far confirms Principal Marburger acted selflessly and placed himself in harm’s way in an apparent effort to protect his students. At this time, Principal Marburger and two students remain hospitalized. The remaining have been treated and released.”
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, during a Jan. 4press conference, addressed the community in Perry, which is about 40 miles northwest of Des Moines.
“Our hearts are heavy today and our prayers are with the Perry community,” Reynolds said. “This strikes at the heart of everything we hold dear. This senseless tragedy has shaken our entire state to the core, and I want this community to know that every Iowan stands with you.“
“It’s impossible to understand why anything like this happens, but again I want you to know we’ll work tirelessly to get the answers so that we can prevent it from happening again,“ Reynolds added.
Police respond to the Perry High School shooting.AP Photo/Andrew Harnik
AP Photo/Andrew Harnik
“Investigators have seized large volumes of digital and social media evidence that will take time to review,” DPS added in the release. “Background investigations, as well as eyewitness accounts and victim interviews, are continuing."
“Once the investigation is complete, the DCI’s [Division of Criminal Investigation] investigative report will be turned over to the Dallas County Attorney’s Office to determine what additional course of action, if any, should be undertaken,” the release concluded.
PEOPLE reached out to DPS for more details about the shooting.
source: people.com
