Europe 1 with AFP / Photo credits: Christian Monterrosa / AFP 18:16 p.m., January 04, 2024

The local police in Perry, Iowa, United States, announced that shootings on Thursday morning at a high school caused "several victims" without giving a precise toll. "Fortunately, there were very few high school students and teachers in the facility" due to the early hour and classes had not yet begun, according to the sheriff.

Shots fired Thursday morning at a high school in the northern U.S. city of Iowa left "several casualties," local police said, without saying whether they were dead or injured. "There is no longer any danger to the public," Sheriff Adam Infante told reporters, confirming that the shooter had been identified by authorities but declined to elaborate on his identity or condition.

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"Very few high school students and teachers in the school"

Adam Infante said the gunman was reported at around 07:37 a.m. local time. Police arrived "within seven minutes" and "located several gunshot victims. We don't know exactly how many (people) are injured... but we are working on it," he said. "Fortunately, there were very few high school students and teachers in the school" due to the early hour and classes had not yet started, he added.

According to local media, it was the first day of recovery after the winter break. Schools and high schools are regularly the scene of mass shootings in the United States. In May 2022, a man killed 19 students and two teachers at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.