A sixth-grader who died during a mass shooting at a rural Iowa high school has been identified as 11-year-old Ahmir Jolliff, officials said Friday.
Jolliff was shot three times during Thursday’s “horrific” bloodbath at Perry High School on the first day back from winter break, the Iowa Department of Public Safety said in a statement.
Jolliff, a student at Perry Middle School, was one of eight shot at a combined middle school and high school 40 miles northwest of Des Moines.
Three staff members and four other students “received injuries of varying degrees,” state DPS said.
The suspected shooter – 17-year-old Dylan Butler, a student at the high school – died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, authorities said.
Jolliff, known as “Smiley” at home, was so excited to return to school after the holidays that he left three minutes before his mother and sister, a ninth-grader, according to his mother, Erica Joliff.
The tuba-playing youngster, who likes soccer and sings in a choir, keeps a box of toys for his neighborhood kids on the family’s front porch, he added.
“He was so loved and he loved everyone. He is a friendly person.”
Perry High School Principal Dan Marburger, who valiantly tried to protect his students, remains in critical condition, according to the agency.
Perry, Iowa, Police Chief Eric Vaughn speaks to the media following a mass shooting at the Perry Middle and High School complex. Getty Images Dylan Butler killed sixth-grader Jolliff and wounded five others, including his principal, Dan Marburger, before he shot himself. Dylan Butler/Facebook Ahmir Jolliff is an 11-year-old sixth grader at Perry Middle School. kay.jolliiff/Facebook
The educator had tried to calm and “distract” the school shooter so other students could escape, her daughter claimed.
“The investigation to date confirms Principal Marburger acted selflessly and put herself in harm’s way in an apparent effort to protect her students,” Iowa DPS said.
Jolliff was shot three times, officials said. kheiyah.jolliff/Facebook Ahmir Joliff plays in the snow in this undated photo. Members of the AP Community gathered at Wiese Park for a candlelight vigil at the Perry Middle School and High School complex Thursday night. Getty Images
Because of his selfless actions, the Uvalde Foundation For Kids, a national nonprofit organization formed in response to the May 2022 school massacre in Uvalde, Texas, announced Saturday morning that it is starting an emergency fund to help with Marburger’s medical bills. .
The organization also honored the principal with the “Award of Heroism.”
Two other students are still being treated at the hospital while the other victim has been treated and released, DPS said.
Dylan Butler was armed with a pump-action shotgun, a small-caliber handgun and an improvised explosive device when he opened fire on Thursday. Tooktoomuch/Tiktok Ahmir is known as “Smiley” around his house and keeps toy trunks in his yard for the neighborhood kids. kay.jolliiff/Facebook
The Butler gunman allegedly endured years of relentless bullying who most recently surrounded his older sister before going on a rampage at his rural Iowa high school Thursday, community members said.
The 17-year-old was armed with a pump-action shotgun, a small-caliber handgun and improvised explosive devices when he opened fire at Perry High School at 7:47 a.m., police said.
Butler fatally shot Jolliff and wounded five others, including his principal, Marburger, before shooting himself.
The shooting victims were honored during a candlelight vigil. Getty Images
Butler had plans to kill more people – his body was found with an unexploded improvised explosive device, which police described as “pretty rudimentary.”
The teenager is believed to have acted alone, although his motive remains unclear.
“An investigation is underway. Investigators have seized a large amount of digital and social media evidence that will take time to review. Background investigations, as well as witness accounts and victim interviews, are ongoing,” Iowa DPS said.
The agency said the Criminal Investigation Division’s report will be submitted to the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office “to determine what additional action, if any, should be taken.”
Butler posted a cryptic video to his since-deleted social media moments before the horrific rampage on the small-town campus.
A group working to “empower our future leaders” said they had placed Ahmir and his family “in our hearts.” kheiyah.jolliff/Facebook
In a TikTok video, Butler posed in a bathroom stall at the school with a blue duffel bag at her feet along with the caption: “now we wait.”
The group “changetheref” – set up to “empower our future leaders” – posted a photo of Jolliff on Instagram, stating, the boy “will forever be 11 years old, because he went to school and a crazy man with a gun killed him in cold. blood.”
With Postal wire
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
