(Perry, Iowa) (updates with audio from Radio Iowa) – Officials with the Perry Community School District confirm the first day of classes after the Winter break were cancelled today (Wednesday), following a shooting incident. A large law enforcement presence was seen at the school, along with numerous ambulances and at least two medical transport helicopters. Radio Iowa reports Raccoon Valley Radio interviewed Perry High School Teacher Lori Meinecke, who said she heard about six to seven gunshots followed by the voices of several school coaches encouraging everyone to evacuate the area.

The Dallas County Sheriff says they’ve identified the person who fired several shots inside Perry High School about 15 minutes before school was to start this morning. The individual reportedly died from a self-inflicted gun shot wound. Dallas County Sheriff Adam Infante spoke with reporters at the scene shortly after 10 o’clock. He said there are multiple victims.

One of the victims is reportedly a school administrator. The sheriff says an officer was at the scene within seven minutes after the emergency call that there was an active shooter in the school.  Sheriff Infante said also, that there were very few students and staff in the building at the time of the incident. One of the hospitals in Des Moines has confirmed its medical helicopter and ambulances were dispatched to Perry. The LifeServe Blood Center announced it was “actively sending blood and blood products to Des Moines area hospitals in response to the shooting.”

Perry is a Dallas County town with a population of about 8,000, located nearly 40 miles northwest of Des Moines. The school district has about 1,800 total students, with about 575 in grades 9-12.