From Bishop Monnot: Statement on shooting at Perry High School

Statement on shooting at Perry High School, January 4, 2024

Once again our hearts are broken as we have heard news of yet another school shooting, this time at Perry High School, in Perry, Iowa. As of this writing, one student and the shooter are dead, and five students and one administrator are injured and receiving care. The community is shocked and the sense of safety that is so important for young people to thrive has been shattered.

This is a scene that has played out too many times in our country and in our state. Once again we are called to pray for healing for all those who experienced this shooting as they struggle to heal from physical, mental, and emotional trauma. Once again we ask why we as a society are unwilling to take measures that could prevent such shootings.

This evening there is a prayer vigil in Perry, and all of us can pray along with them. The Rev. Don Keeler, priest of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Perry, will be present. He has informed me that no members of St. Martin’s were at the high school at the time of the shooting, and that he is working to provide care in the community.

For now, please join me in praying for all those involved: for the student who was killed, for the survivors, and for all of their families and friends. Please pray for all the students, faculty, and staff at Perry High School and for the whole community of Perry. Please pray for the shooter and for his family and friends, who are also hurting. Finally, please pray for our state of Iowa and our country, that we might be guided to do what needs to be done to stop the relentless violence.

Then, when we have prayed, it will be time to act. Act to keep our children, our schools, and our society safe from the epidemic of gun violence. Pray, and act.

God’s blessing and peace be with you all and especially with the students, faculty, staff, and families of Perry High School.

+Betsey

The Rt. Rev. Betsey Monnot
Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Iowa