- January 5, 2024
Iowa school shootings News: Family says US teen who killed fellow sixth-grader was ‘tired of bullying’ | World News – Times of India
NEW DELHI: A 17-year-old student named Dylan Butler fatally shot a fellow sixth-grade student and injured five others before taking his own life.
Butler was armed with a pump-action shotgun and a small-caliber handgun, and investigators discovered a “rudimentary” explosive device at the school. Reports suggest that Butler had planned to harm more individuals, but the shooting occurred before the start of the school day, limiting the number of potential victims.
Described by his family as “the kindest person ever,” Dylan Butler had been reportedly grappling with relentless bullying since elementary school.His sisters, Yesenia Roeder and Khamya Hall, along with their mother Alita, revealed that Butler reached a breaking point when his younger sister became a target of bullying as well.
Despite his quiet demeanor, the family claims that school officials failed to address the issue, pushing Butler to a desperate and tragic act.
‘Got tired of bullying’
Emphasized that Dylan had grown tired of the incessant bullying and harassment, Dylan’s sister Yesenia Roeder said, “He was hurting. He got tired of the bullying. He got tired of the harassment. Was it a smart idea to shoot up the school? No. God, no.” Khamya Hall echoed this sentiment, expressing regret for not being there enough for her brother when he needed support the most.
Cryptic posts before shooting
Leading up to the shooting, Butler posted cryptic content on social media platforms. On TikTok, he shared a video from what appeared to be a school bathroom stall with the caption “now we wait.” The background song, “Stray Bullet” by KMFDM, featured lyrics that eerily echoed sentiments of nightmare and destruction. Furthermore, Butler posted videos on Reddit, imitating characters from horror movies and notorious serial killers, raising concerns about his mental state.
Gun violence in the United States
The incident adds to the three mass shootings recorded by the Gun Violence Archive this year.
While the tragedy prompted prayers from those seeking the Republican nomination in Iowa, there has been a lack of substantive policy proposals from top contenders. Vivek Ramaswamy, currently polling fourth in Iowa, canceled a campaign event in Perry, where the shooting occurred, turning it into “a prayer and conversation.”
(With inputs from agencies)
Butler was armed with a pump-action shotgun and a small-caliber handgun, and investigators discovered a “rudimentary” explosive device at the school. Reports suggest that Butler had planned to harm more individuals, but the shooting occurred before the start of the school day, limiting the number of potential victims.
Described by his family as “the kindest person ever,” Dylan Butler had been reportedly grappling with relentless bullying since elementary school.His sisters, Yesenia Roeder and Khamya Hall, along with their mother Alita, revealed that Butler reached a breaking point when his younger sister became a target of bullying as well.
Despite his quiet demeanor, the family claims that school officials failed to address the issue, pushing Butler to a desperate and tragic act.
‘Got tired of bullying’
Emphasized that Dylan had grown tired of the incessant bullying and harassment, Dylan’s sister Yesenia Roeder said, “He was hurting. He got tired of the bullying. He got tired of the harassment. Was it a smart idea to shoot up the school? No. God, no.” Khamya Hall echoed this sentiment, expressing regret for not being there enough for her brother when he needed support the most.
Cryptic posts before shooting
Leading up to the shooting, Butler posted cryptic content on social media platforms. On TikTok, he shared a video from what appeared to be a school bathroom stall with the caption “now we wait.” The background song, “Stray Bullet” by KMFDM, featured lyrics that eerily echoed sentiments of nightmare and destruction. Furthermore, Butler posted videos on Reddit, imitating characters from horror movies and notorious serial killers, raising concerns about his mental state.
Gun violence in the United States
The incident adds to the three mass shootings recorded by the Gun Violence Archive this year.
While the tragedy prompted prayers from those seeking the Republican nomination in Iowa, there has been a lack of substantive policy proposals from top contenders. Vivek Ramaswamy, currently polling fourth in Iowa, canceled a campaign event in Perry, where the shooting occurred, turning it into “a prayer and conversation.”
(With inputs from agencies)
