PERRY, Iowa - Tragedy struck Perry High School in Iowa on Thursday morning as multiple people were injured in a shooting incident. According to officials, the teenage shooter has been reported dead. The shooter, whose identity was not disclosed by Dallas County Sheriff Adam Infante, was born in 2006.

The exact number of injured individuals and the severity of their injuries remain unclear at this time. Located approximately 40 miles northwest of Des Moines, Perry High School had not yet commenced classes for the day when the incident occurred at 7:37 a.m. As a result, there were only a few students and staff present in the building.

Law enforcement authorities swiftly responded to the school's active shooter alert within seven minutes. Thursday marked the first day back to school after the holiday break, but classes were canceled for the day in the wake of the incident.

Eyewitness accounts shed light on the terrifying moments that unfolded during the shooting. High school senior Ava Augustus recounted her experience of being in a counselor's office when she heard three gunshots. She and others barricaded the door, ready to defend themselves if necessary, as escape through the small window was impossible. Eventually, they heard the news of the shooter being apprehended, but the aftermath revealed shattered glass and blood on the floor. One girl was found with a gunshot wound to her leg in the auditorium.

Another student, 15-year-old Zander Shelley, was grazed by bullets and sought refuge in a classroom, alerting his father via text at 7:36 a.m. Zander's father, Kevin Shelley, expressed the fear he felt upon receiving the message and immediately leaving work. He described it as the most scared he has ever been.

Senior Rachael Kares, who was attending jazz band practice, also heard the terrifying shots. Responding to her band teacher's urgent instruction to run, Kares and her bandmates sought safety by fleeing the premises. Concerned for her 3-year-old son's well-being, Kares focused solely on reaching home.

In response to the incident, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) confirmed that it is closely monitoring the situation and providing assistance to the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. President Joe Biden has been briefed on the shooting, and the White House remains in contact with the Iowa governor's office.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds expressed her condolences, stating, "Our hearts are broken by this senseless tragedy." She assured the public of her communication with law enforcement and announced her presence at the forthcoming press conference.

As of July 2021, Iowa does not require permits to purchase handguns or carry firearms in public, although a background check is mandatory for someone buying a handgun without a permit.

Perry, a tight-knit community with a population of approximately 8,000, is now grappling with the aftermath of this horrific event. Perry High School, part of the school district with around 1,800 students, including 575 in grades 9 to 12, mourns the loss of innocence and the wounds inflicted upon its members.

The investigation into the shooting at Perry High School continues as authorities work to determine the motives behind this tragic incident.