'Our hearts are broken': What Iowa governor, officials are saying about shooting at Perry High School

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and other elected officials and organizations are reacting with shock and sadness to a shooting at Perry High School Thursday morning that injured five people and left two dead.

The student identified as the shooter died of what investigators believe is a self-inflicted gunshot wound, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press.

Six people were shot at the high school on Thursday morning before the shooter turned the gun on himself about 20 minutes before school was scheduled to start, Dallas County Sheriff Adam Infante said at a news conference.

More: Multiple people shot at Perry High School on Thursday; police say shooter dead

Here's what Iowa officials are saying.

Gov. Kim Reynolds: 'Our hearts are broken'

Gov. Kim Reynolds said her prayers are with the families in Perry following the shooting.

"Our hearts are broken by this senseless tragedy," Reynolds said in a statement on social media. "Our prayers are with the students, teachers & families of the Perry Community."

"I have been in contact with law enforcement agencies & am continuing to monitor the situation," she added. "I will be joining their press conference today."

Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg: 'Sending heartfelt prayers'

Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg said in a social media post that he is "sending heartfelt prayers for the entire community of Perry."

U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn says he's 'beyond angry' at the shooting

U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn, who represents Perry in Congress, said he was "beyond angry" at the shooting.

“After today’s tragic attack at Perry High School, I’ve remained in close contact with first-responders who have indicated to me that the school is now secure," Nunn said in a statement. "As a parent and community member, I’m beyond angry. My heart, and my commitment to holding those accountable, is with the community of Perry. We have a duty to protect our children, families, and educators."

"I remain in touch with first responders and local leaders in Perry, and I will continue to monitor the situation closely. We will not rest until there is full accountability for this heinous act of violence," Nunn added.

Democratic legislators: 'Our hearts go out to the families'

Senate Minority Leader Pam Jochum, D-Dubuque, opened her remarks at a legislative forum Thursday morning by addressing the shooting shortly after 9 a.m.

"I want to start by just extending condolences to those in Perry, Iowa," Jochum said. "I know that we are still waiting for more details on what happened there, but I think I can speak for all the Democrats and actually everybody in the state of Iowa that our hearts go out to the families, whatever has occurred there. And we will wait for more detail on that as well."

House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst, D-Windsor Heights, said she didn't want to discuss suggestions for gun policy changes in Iowa without knowing more about what happened in Perry.

"It’s fair to say that at this point we don’t know what’s happening in Perry and so we don’t know what the impact of legislation in this state or gun policy in this state is on what happened in Perry," she said. "So right now we’re focused on monitoring what’s happening there and I’d rather keep the students and the faculty and the families as the focus right now on the Perry incident until we know what happened."

In a Thursday afternoon statement, Konfrst said "my heart goes out" to the family of the sixth-grader who was killed and to the families of the others who were injured.

"We are all shaken and devastated by what happened this morning," she said in the statement. "It will take time to heal, and we will support the entire Perry community in whatever way possible."

"Gun violence has become far too common in our country today," Konfrst added. "When the investigation is complete, it’s our job as state lawmakers to do all we can to prevent mass shootings like this from happening again."

U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley: The violence at Perry High School is 'heartbreaking'

Iowa's U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley wrote on social media Thursday that the "Perry community is strong" and pledged to help if additional federal resources were needed.

"Today's appalling violence at Perry HS is heartbreaking," Grassley wrote. "Barbara and I are grateful for quick response by school officials & law enforcement to protect students (and) restore safety."

U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst: 'Join us in praying for the safety and recovery of those involved'

"My team is in touch with officials in Dallas County about the heartbreaking situation at Perry High School," Ernst said in a statement shared on social media. "Join us in praying for the safety and recovery of those involved. Thank you to law enforcement for the swift response."

Attorney General Brenna Bird: 'My heart aches for the families'

Attorney General Brenna Bird said she was devastated by the shooting.

"I’m devastated by the senseless and horrific shooting at Perry High School this morning," Bird said in a statement. "As a mother, my heart aches for the families of all students and staff impacted."

"We thank the officers who acted swiftly and courageously to restore safety," Bird added. "And we will continue to work with law enforcement and first responders to offer our support and assistance. Our prayers go out to the students, the teachers, their families, and the entire Perry community."

U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson: 'I am sending my prayers to the Perry community'

U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, who represents Iowa's 2nd Congressional District in northeast Iowa, said she and her team are monitoring the situation in Perry.

"I am sending my prayers to the Perry community, especially to the families, classmates, and friends of the victims," Hinson said in a statement shared on social media. "This is a horrific and senseless tragedy. No parent should have to get that phone call and no child or teacher should be afraid to go to school."

U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra: 'We are heartbroken by this tragic violence'

U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, who represents the 4th Congressional District in western Iowa, said he and his wife are praying for the families in Perry.

"Lynette and I are praying for the students, teachers, and families of the Perry community," Feenstra said in a statement shared on social media. "We are heartbroken by this tragic violence, and appreciate the swift response by law enforcement and emergency personnel. All of Iowa stands behind Perry."

Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart: 'I am so sad'

Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart expressed her condolences for the Perry community in a statement.

"I am so sad and so sorry that the Perry community is living this nightmare that has happened far too often across our country," Hart said. "Our schools have always been places of hope and support, where students go to learn new skills and gain the experiences that lead them to future success. Our students should be able to focus on creating brighter futures for themselves while they are in their classrooms, not looking for escape routes, hiding places, or fearing for their safety. The Perry community deserves better. Iowa deserves better."

State Auditor Rob Sand: 'I am sickened by today's horrors in Perry'

"As a father, I am sickened by today's horrors in Perry," Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand said in a statement. "Thank you to educators and law enforcement for their work to protect kids.  Every Iowan can offer thoughts and prayers for the Perry community, but elected officials with the power to reduce senseless violence must do more."

ISEA: 'Heartbroken by this tragedy'

“We are heartbroken by this tragedy and know that words cannot express the sorrow we feel for the victims and the pain that everyone in the community feels,” said Iowa State Education Association President Mike Beranek and Vice President Joshua Brown in a statement late Thursday morning.

The two called Perry High School “a place for learning, growth, and friendship.”

“Iowa’s public schools are the heart of all our communities; today, our hearts are shattered,” Beranek and Brown said. “We will continue to be a source of strength for one another during this challenging time, and in the face of this tragedy and so many before it, it is helpful to remember the values that truly bind us together — resilience, hope, and love.”

Iowa Firearms Coalition condemns Perry shooting

Dave Funk, president of the Iowa Firearms Coalition, called for Iowa to improve school security and allow trained school staff to carry guns on school grounds.

"Our prayers are with the Perry community following this morning's act of evil," Funk said in a statement. "Iowa must, finally, harden soft-targets and empower school staff who love their children enough to protect them to do so. Signs don't stop evil, good people do."

Two northwest Iowa schools, in Spirit Lake and Cherokee, previously approved policies allowing trained staff to carry guns within their schools. But the districts later rescinded the policies to prevent being dropped by their insurance carrier.

Iowa House lawmakers passed a bill last year that would have stopped insurers from denying coverage to a district based solely on whether they adopt a policy of allowing staff to be armed. But the bill was not taken up in the Senate and did not become law.

March For Our Lives Iowa: 'Your inaction is killing us'

March For Our Lives Iowa, a gun violence prevention group, released a statement offering condolences to the families in Perry and urging Iowa lawmakers to pass new gun laws.

"March For Our Lives Iowa offers condolences to those in the Perry area who are affected," the group's leadership said in a statement. "This shooting occurs just two years after the shooting at East High School in the Des Moines metro area and one year after the shooting at Starts Right Here, a non-profit organization for at-risk youth in downtown Des Moines. March For Our Lives Iowa is outraged by the recent events and will remain determined in our fight for gun violence prevention."

"With gun violence on the rise in Iowa, MFOLIA demands the Iowa State Legislature support its communities and school systems that are currently facing the threat of gun violence," the statement said. "Youth leaders at MFOLIA send an unequivocally clear message to their legislators: Your inaction is killing us. This recent tragedy proves how dangerous the proposed omnibus gun bill, which would allow guns to be stored in cars on school properties, is to Iowans. Legislators must pass gun safety policies outlined in our 2024 Legislative Agenda in this upcoming legislative session as well as oppose this harmful omnibus bill. MFOLIA will not stop fighting for justice and a safer Iowa. We plead and urge Iowans to contact their legislators and continue speaking out about the injustices of the current gun legislation."

Des Moines superintendent: 'Let's be sure to support each other'

Des Moines Superintendent Ian Roberts sent out an email Thursday morning assuring families the district’s public safety team was monitoring the situation closely.

“While we have not heard many details of the situation at this time, our hearts and thoughts are with everyone in Perry today,” Roberts said.

"While today will continue as a normal school day at DMPS, let’s be sure to support each other. If staff or students need some space to talk, our counselors are standing by to provide support. And while this incident appears to be isolated to Perry, let’s all continue to be aware at all times of anything that may be a threat to the safety and well-being of anyone in our care. As a school district, DMPS invests considerable resources to make our schools as safe as possible, but it takes all of us working together to make them effective.

"Again, please keep our colleagues and everyone in Perry in your thoughts today as we learn more details of what happened this morning."

Perry Education Association: 'We are grief-stricken and plan to stand together in the face of this tragedy'

The Perry school district's teacher's union released a statement promising to support the community through its grief.

“The Perry Education Association will continue to support our community as we work together to comfort and heal,” officials wrote in the release. “Our schools and the students and families filling our hallways and classrooms are our heart and soul. We are grief-stricken and pledge to stand together in the face of this tragedy and work to rebuild and grow again.”

Iowa Department of Education Director: 'We stand ready to support the Perry community'

Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow pledged to support the Perry community in a statement.

"Our hearts are with all those impacted by the shooting that took place at Perry High School this morning," she said. "Our most fundamental commitment to students, families and teachers is to ensure their safety at school. We stand ready to support the Perry community as they grieve and respond to this tragedy."

City of Des Moines: 'Such events occur far too often'

The city of Des Moines shared a statement on social media saying city officials' hearts go out to the Perry community and that they've been in close communication with Perry officials.

"Tragically, such events occur far too often across numerous communities throughout the nation," the statement said. "The incident at Perry High School today is an intolerable occurrence that demands our collective attention. Safeguarding the well-being of our youth, families and all community members is a responsibility we must all contribute to."

"We commend the local school officials and first responders throughout the area for the swift and professional response to today's crisis," the statement added. "Yet, we recognize that their efforts pale in comparison to the anguish endured by the victims' families and the Perry community. It is imperative that, collectively and at every level, we take decisive action to prevent future tragedies."

Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@registermedia.com or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on Twitter at @sgrubermiller.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Kim Reynolds, Chuck Grassley, Zach Nunn, respond to Iowa school shooting