Officials during a news briefing identified the gunman as a 17-year-old student who had attended the school, confirming he was deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
It was further noted that the shooter entered the school grounds with a pump-action gunshot and a small-caliber handgun. During a search of the building, an improvised explosive device was found and later rendered safe by authorities.
Preliminary findings indicate the gunman acted alone. Officials are still working to determine the motive.
Mitch Mortvedt, of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, informed reporters that the deceased victim was identified as a sixth grader. Of the five others injured, four were said to be students and the fifth was a faculty member. Official did not offer additional color on their status.
Initial 911 calls for the Thursday shooting was received by the Perry Police Department at about 7:37 a.m. local time, with additional calls being made to Dallas County Communications. Mortvedt detailed that upon arrival, Perry officers witnessed many students and faculty either sheltering in place or running from the scene.
The attack occurred on the first day of the semester, as students returned to classes following the winter break.
Republican presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswami called on Americans to pray for community in Perry. "Pray for the community in Perry, Iowa, this morning," Ramaswami said via the social media platform X.