PERRY, Iowa – An investigation into the Perry High School shooting last week has revealed that the gunman, 17-year-old Dylan Butler, had an active account on the internet chat platform Discord. Prior to the attack, he discussed school shootings and made ominous indications in his online presence. Butler tragically killed 11-year-old Ahmir Jolliff and wounded four other students and three staff members before taking his own life. A law enforcement source revealed that they are closely examining Butler’s use of social media and tech platforms, including Discord.
In the lead-up to the shooting, Butler posted a video on TikTok from an account with the username “tooktoomuch”, with the corresponding Discord account using the name “took2much”. Screenshots of chilling messages from the account to a group of online friends on Discord were also viewed by NBC News, in which the user expressed being at the school and “ready for what’s to come.”
The revelations surrounding the shooter’s online activity have raised concerns about the potential warning signs that were overlooked. It has been confirmed by a Discord spokesperson that the company believes the “took2much” screen name belonged to Butler. Additionally, the user “took2much” was part of a chatroom specifically dedicated to discussing school shootings, called “School Massacres Discussion”, a disturbing detail that underscores the need for greater vigilance in monitoring online behavior.
Furthermore, this tragic incident has once again highlighted the role of social media and tech platforms in potential acts of violence. Discord has previously been linked to other violent incidents, including the convicted shooter in the Buffalo, New York, Tops market attack using the platform to discuss combat gear. This grim reality compels a reexamination of the responsibilities and oversight required from online platforms.
The impact of the Perry High School shooting is far-reaching, with a devastating loss for the victims, their families, and the community in Perry, Iowa. It also serves as a sobering reminder of the potential consequences of unchecked online behavior. As authorities continue to investigate this tragedy, the lessons learned from this harrowing event will undoubtedly shape future efforts to prevent such senseless violence.