Accident – death – Obituary News :

Principal Dies Following School Shooting in Perry, Iowa

A tragic incident earlier this month in Perry, Iowa, has resulted in the death of a school principal who was shot by a student. The funeral home handling the services confirmed this devastating news on Sunday.

The principal, Dan Marburger, aged 56, was shot on January 4th by a 17-year-old student at Perry High School. The incident occurred in the early morning as students were returning from winter break. The gunman, identified as Dylan Butler, opened fire at the school, shooting Mr. Marburger and five students. Tragically, one of the students, Ahmir Jolliff, a sixth-grader, lost his life. The gunman later died from a self-inflicted gunshot, according to the police.

Mr. Marburger fought for his life but succumbed to his injuries just before 8 a.m. on Sunday at a hospital in Des Moines, Iowa. Scott A. Glover, the director of Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home & Crematory, confirmed the principal’s passing. Unfortunately, no further details about the cause of death were provided. The funeral home had also held services for Ahmir last week.

The community of Perry, a town of 8,000 residents located approximately 40 miles northwest of Des Moines, has been deeply affected by the selfless actions of Mr. Marburger. He was not only a dedicated principal but also a loving husband, father, and grandfather, as highlighted on a website raising funds for his family.

Governor Reynolds Honors Mr. Marburger

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds expressed her condolences and announced that flags at major government and public properties throughout the state would be lowered to half-staff in honor of Mr. Marburger. This tribute will continue until sunset on the day of his funeral. Governor Reynolds encouraged businesses, schools, and individuals to follow suit.

In a statement, the governor remarked, “Our entire state is devastated by the news of Dan Marburger’s death. Dan courageously put himself in harm’s way to protect his students and ultimately gave his own life to save them. He will forever be remembered for his selfless and heroic actions.”

The shooting has had a profound impact on the small city of Perry, where both the victims of the shooting and the gunman were familiar faces. Mr. Marburger was well-known as a friendly and outgoing educator, while Mr. Butler was described as somewhat eccentric but not someone suspected of being violent.

A Tremendous Loss for the School Community

The Perry Community School District expressed their grief and paid tribute to Mr. Marburger in a statement posted on social media. They described him as a “tremendous leader” and expressed the heartbreak felt by the entire school community following his passing.

This devastating incident serves as a reminder of the importance of school safety and the dedication of educators like Mr. Marburger. The community of Perry, along with the state of Iowa, mourns the loss of a beloved principal who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect his students.

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