Iowa Principal Injured in Perry High School Shooting while Protecting Students

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Police Respond to Perry High School in Perry, Iowa: One Dead and Several Injured in School Shooting

PERRY, Iowa (AP) — Tragedy struck Perry High School in Perry, Iowa on Thursday, January 4, 2024, when a teenage shooter opened fire in the cafeteria, leaving one sixth-grader dead and seven others injured. The incident occurred as students were gathering for breakfast before the start of classes. The 17-year-old shooter, identified as Dylan Butler, also died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot.

Perry High School Principal, Dan Marburger, has been hailed as a hero for his selfless act of putting himself in harm’s way to protect his students. Marburger, along with six others, including two staff members and four teenage students, was critically injured in the shooting. The Iowa Department of Public Safety commended Marburger for his bravery and stated that he “acted selflessly and placed himself in harm’s way in an apparent effort to protect his students.”

Among the injured was 11-year-old Ahmir Jolliff, who tragically lost his life after being shot three times. The mother of another student, Corey, took to Facebook to share that her son had been shot multiple times, suffering a fractured femur and wrist. Corey managed to stumble to a nearby field before being assisted to an ambulance. He underwent surgery and is expected to make a full recovery, although he will be unable to walk for several weeks.

The shooting sent shockwaves through the Perry community, and the entire school district is now grappling with grief and trauma. Perry Superintendent Clark Wicks expressed his condolences and announced that classes will not resume in the district until at least next Friday.

As investigations continue, authorities have discovered that Butler had a pump-action shotgun and a small-caliber handgun. They also found a “pretty rudimentary” improvised explosive device in his belongings, which was safely disarmed. Investigators are now interviewing Butler’s friends and analyzing his social media profiles for any possible clues about his motive. However, no information has been released thus far.

Friends and family of Butler have revealed that he had been the target of relentless bullying since elementary school, and the situation escalated when his younger sister started experiencing the same treatment. While the bullying is no justification for his actions, those close to Butler believe it played a role in his state of mind.

The Perry community, known for its resilience, came together in a candlelight prayer vigil where hundreds gathered to mourn and find solace. Faith leaders from various denominations spoke words of hope and unity, offering support to the grieving families.

Perry, with its population of approximately 8,000 residents, is a close-knit town that is now grappling with the aftermath of this tragic event. Despite the shock and heartache, Mayor Dirk Cavanaugh expressed confidence in the community’s ability to come together and heal.

The Perry High School shooting serves as a reminder of the importance of school safety and the need for continued efforts to prevent such incidents. The Perry Community School District will undoubtedly take steps to ensure the well-being of its students and staff moving forward.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims, their families, and the entire Perry community during this difficult time..