Iowa Principal Dies After Heroic Act During School Shooting

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DES MOINES, Iowa — The Perry High School community is mourning the loss of Principal Dan Marburger, who tragically lost his life while protecting students during a school shooting earlier this month. Marburger, who acted selflessly and placed himself in harm’s way, succumbed to his injuries on Sunday, according to Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home & Crematory.

The incident occurred on January 4th in the school’s cafeteria as students were gathering for breakfast before class. An 11-year-old middle school student lost his life in the shooting, and six others were injured. The 17-year-old student responsible for the attack died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot.

Marburger, critically injured during the incident, was hailed as a hero by the Iowa Department of Public Safety for his courageous actions. The news of his passing was confirmed by his wife, Elizabeth, on a GoFundMe page created to support their family.

Marburger’s daughter, Claire Marburger, took to Facebook to express her admiration for her father, referring to him as a “gentle giant” who always prioritized the safety of his students. She wrote, “As I heard of a gunman, I instantly had a feeling my Dad would be a victim as he would put himself in harms way for the benefit of the kids and his staff. That’s just Dad.”

The Perry Facebook page was flooded with condolences from nearly 200 individuals within the first hour of the news being posted.

Since 1995, Marburger had served as the principal of Perry High School, leaving a lasting impact on the students and staff he worked with.

Superintendent Clark Wicks praised Marburger’s heroic actions, stating that he intervened with the teenage gunman, allowing students to escape. Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation spokesman Mitch Mortvedt also commended Marburger for his brave efforts, mentioning that he had done significant things to protect others, without providing further details.

The shooting took place just after 7:30 a.m. on January 4th, marking the first day back to school after the winter break. Authorities revealed that the incident began in the cafeteria and later spilled outside, but remained contained to the north end of the school.

The suspect, identified as Dylan Butler, was armed with a pump-action shotgun and a small-caliber handgun. Authorities discovered a rudimentary improvised explosive device among Butler’s belongings, which was safely disarmed by experts.

The loss of Principal Dan Marburger has left the Perry High School community devastated. His bravery and selflessness will be remembered by all who knew him, and his sacrifice serves as a reminder of the importance of ensuring student safety.