A sixth grader was killed and five other people were wounded by a 17-year-old suspect in a shooting Thursday at a small-town Iowa high school, authorities in Perry, Iowa, said. Authorities in Perry, Iowa, identified the gunman as a student at Perry High School. The suspect died of what investigators believe is a self-inflicted gunshot wound. During a press conference, authorities said one of the victims, a sixth grader, had died. The other five were being treated at area hospitals. According to authorities, the suspect had a pump action shotgun and a small caliber handgun. Investigators also found an improvised explosive device inside the school, which was rendered safe by the fire marshal. Officials said the gunman also made social media posts in and around the time of the shooting. Perry has about 8,000 residents and is about 40 miles (64 kilometers) northwest of Des Moines, on the edge of the state capital's metropolitan area. It is home to a large pork-processing plant, and low-slung, single-story homes spread among trees now shorn of their leaves by winter. The high school and middle school are connected, sitting on the east edge of town. MORE: https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/nation-world/active-shooter-iowa-high-school/507-e42f4b61-24f6-40b2-8fe5-419c034fa2b7 ►Subscribe: https://on.wtsp.com/youtube ►Website: https://www.wtsp.com/ ►Facebook: https://facebook.com/10TampaBay ►Twitter: https://twitter.com/10TampaBay