Iowa DPS: More details on school shooting

DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa Department of Public Safety held a news conference Friday morning to release more information about the investigation into the deadly January 4 ^th shooting at Perry High School.

Six people were injured and sixth-grade student Ahmir Jolliff and Principal Dan Marburger died when Dylan Butler, 17, opened fire in the common area of the school.

On Thursday, the Dallas County Attorney’s Office on Thursday released its report into the investigation of the shooting , saying it was significantly prepared and planned. The investigation found none of the victims were specifically targeted. The report said Butler died by suicide four minutes and 21 seconds after firing the first shot at the school.

During the Friday morning news conference, DPS Commissioner Stephen Bayens thanked the Dallas County Attorney’s Office and confirmed the accuracy of the factual statements in its report.

Bayens opened by explaining why some of the information people may hope is released, won’t be made available. He cited privacy laws, the threat of copycat shootings, a desire by the shooter for notoriety, and a wish to not dishonor the families of Ahmir Jolliff and Dan Marburger as reasons for keeping some information confidential.

You can watch the complete news conference with Commissioner Bayens below:

There was significant evidence recovered during the investigation that Butler had a fascination with school shootings and violence. Bayens said they also found writings from the shooter expressing suicidal feelings.

“He said as much in his own hand. We recovered writings from the shooter who said just that. He desired to be famous. He desired to commit suicide. He desired to take others with him. He told us as much and that is the best evidence I had of his intentions,” said Bayens.

There’s no evidence that anyone knew of any specific plans for the January 4th shooting, according to Bayens. However there were people who were aware of Butler’s interest in school shootings and violence, and that information was not reported.

Tune in to WHO 13 News throughout the day on Friday for much more on this story and check back to www.WHO13.com for updates.

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