A press conference was held at the Iowa Department of Public Safety Headquarters in Des Moines following an over ten month investigation of the events that led up to and the day of the January 4th shooting at Perry High School.

Commissioner Stephan Bayens said investigators concluded that the shooter, 17-year-old Dylan Butler, had a suicidal motive where the evidence showed that Butler had an ideation and fantasies of previous school shootings, showed a fascination with school violence and he desired to be famous, wanted to die by suicide and wanted to take others with him. Baynes noted that the victims were not targeted and indiscriminate, but appeared to be the ones that were immediately available. 

Baynes explained that Butler fit the pathways to violence with the recurring thoughts and obsession of school violence, to planning for the incident six to eight weeks before, followed by making preparations within one month, before implementing his plan on January 4th. 

Baynes talked about the origin of the weapons that Butler had with him during the incident. He said the 22 gauge Remington shotgun was originally purchased over 20 years ago, but within 10-15 years the firearm was sold privately and could no longer be traced by DCI agents. He mentioned the shotgun did not come from Butler’s parents home, but likely from a large gun collection from extended family and taken likely without the owner’s knowledge. The 22 caliber revolver was not used in the shooting, but on Butler as evidence showed the firearm was purchased legally in 2020 by Butler’s father. The gun was unsecured in the home when Butler had it on him during the incident. 

Baynes said the investigation also revealed that other people knew about Butler’s fascination with school violence and associated behaviors prior to the shooting, but did not report it or were not recognized, along with having broad behavior and mental health concerns years before the shooting took place. 

Baynes was proud of how school staff and students responded that day and did exactly what they were trained to do in an active shooter situation, along with the quick response by the Perry Police Department at 2:59 after the school safe radio system was activated. 

In a previous report that was issued by the Dallas County Attorney Jeannine Ritchie, she stated that Butler acted alone in the shooting and she was not going to issue charges following the conclusion of the investigation. Ritchie said that the impact of this incident was profound on everyone involved and with both her and Baynes appreciated everyone’s professionalism and dedication to what Baynes called the most exhaustive and complex investigations that the DCI has had in its 100 year history.