PERRY, Iowa – Former US President Donald Trump expressed his condolences to the families affected by the tragic school shooting in Perry, Iowa. At a campaign rally in Sioux Center, Iowa, Trump referred to the incident as “terrible” and “horrible” while urging the community to come together and move forward.
The shooting, which took place just days before the Iowa caucuses, resulted in the death of a sixth-grade student and left seven others injured. The suspected shooter, 17-year-old student Dylan Butler, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to officials.
Following the news of the shooting, social media users criticized Trump for appearing insensitive by urging the community to “move forward.” Trump’s Republican rivals campaigning in the state also offered condolences and called for mental health reform in light of the tragedy.
Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley specifically called for mental health reform, emphasizing the need to address the mental health crisis plaguing society. GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy also weighed in, highlighting the deeper societal crisis at play, rather than solely focusing on gun control policies.
In response, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis suggested that shootings are primarily a local and state issue, further complicating the discourse surrounding such tragedies. The incident has reignited conversations about gun violence and mental health reform, prompting a call for broader societal and political action.
In the aftermath of the devastating school shooting, the Perry community and the state of Iowa are grappling with the aftermath of this tragedy, seeking answers and solutions to prevent such horrific events from occurring in the future.