“Perry High School Principal Injured in Shooting While Protecting Students, 1 Student Dead”

Accident – Death – Obituary News : PERRY, Iowa — A tragic incident unfolded at Perry High School in Iowa on Thursday morning when a 17-year-old student opened fire, resulting in the death of an 11-year-old sixth-grade student. The school’s principal, Dan Marburger, along with six other staff members and students, were critically injured during the shooting. Marburger, who is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in Des Moines, acted heroically by putting himself in harm’s way to protect his students, according to the Iowa Department of Public Safety.

The tight-knit community of Perry is still reeling from the incident, with yellow crime tape still lining the school campus and makeshift memorials popping up in remembrance of the young victim. In light of the tragedy, classes across the district have been canceled, and counseling services are being provided to help students and staff cope with the traumatic event. Perry Superintendent Clark Wicks announced that classes are expected to resume next Friday.

The shooting occurred just before classes were set to begin on the first day back after winter break. The student gunman, identified as Dylan Butler, was armed with a pump-action shotgun and a small-caliber handgun. Authorities have also discovered a homemade explosive device, which has been safely rendered inert. The motive behind the shooting remains unknown, and investigators are currently analyzing Butler’s social media profiles for any potential clues.

Friends and acquaintances of Butler have described him as a quiet individual who had been relentlessly bullied since elementary school. Sisters Yesenia Roeder and Khamya Hall, along with their mother, Alita, revealed that the bullying had escalated recently when Butler’s younger sister became a target as well. While they acknowledged the immense pain and frustration Butler must have felt, they emphasized that resorting to violence was not the solution.

Perry High School senior Rachael Kares expressed confidence in Principal Marburger’s commitment to addressing bullying incidents. She attested to Marburger’s dedication to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all students. Kares and her family have a close relationship with Marburger, as her older sisters grew up with his daughters, and his wife was one of Kares’ former teachers.

Authorities believe that Butler acted alone in the shooting, but they have not provided details on how he obtained the firearms used in the attack. The Perry Community School District, where the shooting occurred, is known for its proactive approach to addressing bullying situations. Superintendent Wicks assured the public that every bullying incident is taken seriously, and their goal is to maintain a safe and inviting atmosphere for all students.

Perry, a town of approximately 8,000 residents located about 40 miles northwest of Des Moines, is known for its pork-processing plant and close-knit community. The high school is part of the Perry Community School District, which serves 1,785 students. Perry is more diverse than the average Iowa town, with 31% of its residents identifying as Hispanic, compared to less than 7% statewide. The town has rallied together in the face of this tragedy, with Mayor Dirk Cavanaugh expressing confidence in the community’s ability to support one another during this difficult time.

As the investigation into the shooting continues, the Perry community mourns the loss of a young life and prays for the recovery of those injured..