Former President Donald Trump offered his condolences to Iowans over the recent Perry High School shooting, stressing the need to “get beyond this.”
The shooting occurred last Thursday, when the 17-year-old suspect allegedly killed a sixth-grader and injured seven others, including the principal.
“I want to express my support and deepest condolences to the victims and their families of yesterday's horrific school shooting in Perry, Iowa,” President Trump said Friday.
“It's really scary and it's really amazing to see it here. But you have to get over it and move on.”
Authorities say the suspect, Dylan Butler, 17, was shot to death after a mass shooting on the first day of school after winter break.
The motive for the deadly attack remains unclear. Authorities said the gunman was armed with a handgun and a pump-action shotgun.
President Biden's re-election campaign has highlighted President Trump's offensive comments.
Other 2024 Republican candidates weighed in on the issue as well.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis expressed his condolences over the massacre, but said he believed “the federal government will probably not lead the effort” to strengthen school safety. emphasized.
“I think this is more of a local and state issue. But we've shown how it's done in Florida. What we've been doing has been very effective.” he said in a joint interview with the Des Moines Register and NBC.
Former US Ambassador to the United Nations and South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley expressed sympathy to X.
“No parent, student, or teacher should have to wake up in the morning and face the news of a school shooting. My heart breaks for the victims in Perry, Iowa, and throughout our community,” she posted on X.
Biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy had planned to hold a rally not far from where the tragic shooting took place, but he canceled the event. He also said gun control is the “wrong approach.”
“The temptation is to pass laws and documents and say we did something about this,” he said in a video message.
“Heed my words, if not later today, then tomorrow, we will continue to mask this real disease in the heart and soul of our country and our culture. You're going to hear the call, 'No guns, that's the problem.''' It spread throughout the next generation and into the family unit. Loss of purpose. ”
Iowa will hold the opening round of the 2024 Republican presidential election on January 15th, followed by New Hampshire on January 23rd.
Candidates are eagerly storming the Hawkeye State to gain momentum.
According to all reliable polls, Trump is the overwhelming front-runner in the race for the Republican nomination.
