'Attempt to hide evidence': Internet furious as alleged TikTok account of Iowa school shooting suspect Dylan Butler is 'scrubbed' off

Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.

PERRY, IOWA - The close-knit community of Perry is reeling from the aftermath of a tragic school shooting at Perry High School on Thursday, January 4, allegedly perpetrated by 17-year-old Dylan Butler.

The incident left a sixth-grader dead and five others injured before the assailant reportedly turned the gun on himself.

Adding to the distress, social media users are furious after an account on TikTok purportedly belonging to the shooting suspect, named 'tooktoomuch', was scrubbed from the platform.

While concerns mount about potential attempts to hide evidence, the contents of the account have sparked outrage.

A screen recording on X, formerly Twitter, captured before its removal, featured a pride flag in the bio, with the individual behind the account described as a "loser, mentally ill, druggy".

Additionally, there were videos depicting pretend gunfights with one of his friends.

Who was Dylan Butler?

Authorities have identified Butler as the lone gunman in the Perry High School shooting.

The tragic incident unfolded at 7.47 am on the first day back from winter break, with one sixth-grader losing their life and an additional five individuals sustaining injuries, including an administrator believed to be the school principal.

The names of the victims have not been disclosed by authorities, but a late afternoon press conference revealed that one of the injured victims is in a critical condition but expected to survive.

Dylan Butler made cryptic social media posts before Iowa school shooting

Investigators have highlighted cryptic social media posts made by Butler before the shooting, adding another layer of complexity to the tragedy. The motive behind the attack remains under investigation as the community grapples with the aftermath.

The shooting occurred before the opening bell, with "very few students and faculty" present in the school building, potentially contributing to a less catastrophic outcome, according to Dallas County Sheriff Adam Infante's statement during a press conference.

Armed with a small caliber handgun and a pump-action shotgun, Butler's rampage was cut short when he turned the gun on himself.

First responders swiftly deactivated a "makeshift explosive device" left by the shooter. Approximately 150 officers from multiple agencies responded immediately, preventing further harm and minimizing the potential damage.

 

Public outcry over immediate removal of shooter's online presence

 

After the shooting suspect's TikTok account was deleted, people shared their views on social media.

A user tweeted, "Why do they immediately remove all of the social media accounts of these freaks we the people have the right to know who this person is and what they have been posting."

Another added, "That could be considered tampering with/destroying evidence, right?"

A third claimed, "America has a mental illness epidemic."

One user said, "If you wanted to have a reason to no longer support the following social media platform… here it is listed below…. Amazing how they suddenly ‘delete/scrub’ to attempt to hide evidence….. Protecting a narrative that’s destroying youths around the world."

 

"Videoing himself in play gunfights and talking about horror movies boy big hints there...," read a tweet.

"They gotta hide the evidence that they were not doing anything to prevent this," said a user.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.