Local officials shocked, saddened by shooting at Perry High School

Local school officials have expressed their sadness in the wake of a school shooting at Perry High School on Jan. 4.
The Perry shooting was the first high school shooting incident of 2024, which resulted in the deaths of an 11-year-old student, a Perry administrator, and the gunman, and six students and staff members at the school wounded.
Red Oak Superintendent Ron Lorenz said the news of the school shooting hit him and other members of the staff hard on a personal level.
“My heart aches every time we experience one of these tragedies. This one certainly hits closer to home because many of us know people who live and serve in the Perry school district. We grieve with their entire community and pray for their strength and healing,” commented Lorenz.
Lorenz said the Red Oak Community School District has a plan in place should any event like the one in Perry befall the district.
“All Iowa school districts are required to have comprehensive emergency operations plans that include responses to active shooter scenarios and natural disasters. These plans must be reviewed and updated regularly,” Lorenz stated.
With the most recent shooting happening right here in Iowa, Loren said he and other members of the staff remain dedicated to student safety.
“It certainly reminds us of the need to remain vigilant and be proactive in identifying potential threats to student and staff safety,” said Lorenz.
Stanton superintendent David Gute said the news coming out of Perry also saddened him and members of the Stanton District.
“We were all shocked to hear the news of this tragedy. Every time something like this happens, our hearts break for the families and the community,” stated Gute.
The Stanton District has an active shooter plan in place, and Gute said the students and staff went through several active shooter scenarios last fall.
“I think it is definitely important to have a plan in place.  I believe it is more important for our students and staff to be vigilant in what is happening with all students and report anything that may seem out of the ordinary,” explained Gute.
Gute also expressed his appreciation to the Montgomery County Emergency Management agency for its efforts in helping with student safety.
“The Montgomery County EMA has worked with the schools in the area to get emergency radios in our buildings. This gives the school direct access to 911 dispatchers and deputies.  This could potentially save valuable time in getting a response to the school,” advised Gute.
Griswold superintendent David Heinrichs also shared his grief for the students, staff, and families in Perry.
“The Perry school shooting is certainly a very sad situation for all involved.  As with all districts, safety of our students and staff is a priority.  Over the course of each year, we use a portion of our professional development time to talk about, review, and practice various parts of our Emergency Plan. During this work, it is often stated that we cannot have the mindset that ‘it will never happen here.’  Situations like Perry reinforces that,” Heinrichs advised.
All of Iowa’s districts are required to have an emergency operations plan, and Heinrichs said it’s constantly under review.
“Our district reviews various parts on the plan throughout every school year. More specifically, the day on which the Perry shooting occurred, the administration notified the staff of the event and asked to review the plan with an opportunity for discussion about any questions or concerns that they may have,” Heinrichs said.
Heinrichs felt in the wake of this tragedy, it stresses the importance for area districts to have a plan in place for these types of situations, even if it couldn’t anticipate every scenario.
“Even with a solid plan, I am not sure if any entity can be totally prepared for a situation like this. Some of the value of the plan actually is gained during the development. When developing the plan, you have the opportunity to have a deep conversation about topics such as who is going to be responsible for what, what things can we control, things that we cannot control, the resources available, and what assistance are we going to need,” Heinrichs advised. “Once the plan is initially developed, it provides a solid framework to use in practicing and preparing for an event.  And finally, when an event occurs, the plan is a great resource to refer to better ensure the entity is performing all the correct steps.”
Chris Fenster, superintendent with the Southwest Valley School District, said he was heartbroken for the Perry District and the community. 
“Knowing the superintendent was especially hard, knowing he is in a tough spot and has many tough days ahead. People say it will never happen in Iowa, but my fellow superintendent colleagues know we worry about these things daily.  I am responsible for 690 students spread over two counties and 140 employees daily. I would be devastated if something happened to any of them. Mental health services need to be expanded statewide to help schools,” commented Fenster.
Fenster added Southwest Valley will be delving back into its own safety plan in regards to shootings.
“We have a plan in place and will review it again with our law enforcement partners.  But plans are only plans, and when it happens, we just hope that human instincts kick in. I am confident our staff will lead our kids to safety,” Fenster advised.
Fenster also urged parents not to hesitate if they feel something is wrong to notify the school.
“I would stress to all parents, no matter what district their child attends, to be alert of their child and any sudden changes in how they behave. School districts need everyone to help us raise and educate our students, and if something doesn’t seem right or you see something on social media, contact law enforcement or the school so we can investigate. We have to help prevent these types of events from happening,” Fenster stated.
On the law enforcement side, Red Oak Police Chief Justin Rhamy said he was one of many who listened to events unfold.
“I was absolutely heartbroken, mad, disgusted. We listened intently to the radio traffic as the incident unfolded and officers arriving at the scene. It sent chills down our spine to listen to the tragedy unfold. We sat silent, sick to our stomachs,” commented Rhamy.
Rhamy said the Red Oak Police Department has worked with the Red Oak district on a plan for an active shooting situation, if it were to happen here.
“We have worked with the school in regard to plans and specifics; it’s always a work in progress as plans evolve and change. New training opportunities, whether in law enforcement or on the school side of it, that have to continue to be evaluated and implemented if necessary. In one of the trainings we have, there is a quote of ‘failing to plan, is a plan to fail.’ That’s always stuck with me,” advised Rhamy. “So we do our best to get the officers to trainings in a wide array of things so we can be better prepared and educated. It’s been a few years, but Brian Hamman with Montgomery County Emergency Management was able to secure funding to host a three-day interactive active shooter training. That training allowed law enforcement, along with fire and rescue personnel, the training opportunity to work with one another in an intense situation where multiple lives could be at stake.”
Rhamy said there are some warning signs that both kids and parents can look out for to help prevent a situation like this from taking place in Red Oak.
“There are most certainly always indicators of some sort, it’s just whether they are picked up on. I would say the biggest things would be any odd, strange or irrational behaviors. Talk of someone wanting to cause harm to others or mass destruction,” explained Rhamy. “Parents should always check-in on the mental health and well being of their children. Have some checks and balances in place for the internet, see what they are looking at or researching when they are on the internet, any specific groups they may be following on social media. It’s a parent’s job to be nosey, pay attention to the children, their actions or reactions to current events that unfold whether locally, state or nationwide. As stated before, there is most certainly indicators or cues present.”
Montgomery County Sheriff Jon Spunaugle also shared shock and sadness over the news, as well as the realization that it could have been much closer.
“Size wise, the district only has about 600 more students than Red Oak, and law enforcement wise, Perry is of a similar size. It wasn’t in Des Moines, it wasn’t in Omaha, Neb., it was a district in a smaller city in Iowa just like we are,” commented Spunaugle.
Spunaugle added the sheriff’s office is looking into getting anther session of ALICE training in. ALICE is an acronym for alert, lockdown, inform, counter, and evacuate. The training teaches participants to do anything that distracts the shooter and makes it harder for them to harm someone, such as throwing objects, making loud noises, and in some cases tackling the shooter. Multiple agencies in Red Oak and the surrounding area took part in the training at the Red Oak Middle School in 2017.
“Myself, Chief Justin Rhamy, and Chief John Bruce were ALICE instructors. I’m looking at getting some training together, probably in the spring. I’m going to get with some of the schools and see what I can do to get us further training. Training is good, but this is a situation that is always going to be really hard to train for,” Spunaugle said.
U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley also issued a response in the wake of the news of the school shooting at Perry.
“The tragic and appalling violence at Perry High School is a shock to the Perry community and all of Iowa. My heart breaks for the families and friends who’ve lost a loved one, and all those affected. Schools are supposed to be the safest place for students and educators. 
Barbara and I are grateful for the heroic efforts and quick response by school officials and law enforcement to protect students and restore safety. I also want to thank the dispatchers, first responders and medical professionals for their incredible work.
The Perry community has responded by banding together, as we all knew it would.  I’m also encouraged, but not surprised, to see folks across Iowa step up to lend their support.  If you’d like to help your fellow Iowans in Perry, here’s a list of resources. [Go to kcci.com/article/perry-high-school-iowa-shooting-how-to-help-victims-donate-blood-resources/46287706]
As we pray for healing in Perry, I’ll continue working to ensure the community has all the federal assistance it needs. On Thursday, I was briefed by the director of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), whose agents were part of the federal response. I’ll continue to monitor developments moving forward and have conversations with the community.
The public conversation following tragic events like these often centers on preventing future violence – as it should.
I wrote the bipartisan EAGLES Act to help prevent acts of mass violence, including at schools, through trainings, intervention initiatives and other preparedness tools. This bill leverages the threat assessment expertise of the U.S. Secret Service to help communities identify warning signs for people who may pose danger to themselves or others and train community members on how best to intervene. I also led the STOP School Violence Act, which funds school security improvements and invests in early intervention and prevention programs. 
As we work to advance thoughtful policy to help reduce mass violence, Barbara and I continue to pray for Perry.”