An Iowa principal who risked his life to protect students during a school shooting earlier this month died Sunday, according to a funeral home. Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home & Crematory confirmed Perry High School Principal Dan Marburger’s death, which the family announced on a GoFundMe page.
Iowa principal Dan Marburger was hailed a hero in the Perry High School shooting
Marburger suffered critical injuries in the Jan. 4 attack, which began in the school cafeteria as students gathered for breakfast before class. An 11-year-old middle school student was killed in the shooting, while six others were injured. The 17-year-old student who opened fire died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot.
The day after the shooting, the state Department of Public Safety stated that Marburger “acted selflessly and placed himself in harm’s way in an apparent effort to protect his students.”
The news of Marburger’s death was first shared on a GoFundMe page for his family. Marburger’s wife, Elizabeth, wrote in a post that he died around 8 a.m. Sunday, saying, “Dan lost his battle.” He fought hard and gave us ten days that we will cherish forever.”
The news that Marburger had died sparked a flood of support on the Perry Facebook page, with nearly 200 people posting condolences within the first hour of the post.
Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds extended her condolences.
“Our entire state is devastated by the news of Dan Marburger’s death,” she said in a statement Sunday. “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. May he rest in peace.”
Reynolds ordered that all flags in Iowa be lowered to half-staff on Sunday and remain there until sunset on the day of Marburger’s funeral and interment. People, businesses, schools, and local governments are also encouraged to fly the flag half-staff for the same amount of time as a show of respect, according to the statement.
Claire Marburger, the principal’s daughter, wrote on Facebook the night of the shooting that her father was a “gentle giant” and that it was not surprising that he tried to protect his students.
“As I heard of a gunman, I instantly had a feeling my dad would be a victim, as he would put himself in harm way for the benefit of the kids and his staff,” his daughter wrote. “That’s just Dad.”
Marburger has been principal since 1995.
Mitch Mortvedt, a spokesman for the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, said after the shooting that Marburger did “pretty significant things” to protect others but did not go into detail. Perry Superintendent Clark Wicks described Marburger as a “hero” who intervened with the teenage gunman, allowing students to flee.
Ahmir Jolliff, an 11-year-old sixth grader, died in the shooting. Authorities stated that he was shot three times.
The shooting occurred shortly after 7:30 a.m. on January 4, just before classes were scheduled to resume on the first day back from winter break. According to Mortvedt, the shooting began in the cafeteria, where students from various grades were eating breakfast, and spread outside, but was contained to the north end of the school.
According to authorities, the suspect, Dylan Butler, was armed with a pump-action shotgun and a small-caliber handgun. Mortvedt told The Associated Press that authorities discovered a “pretty rudimentary” improvised explosive device in Butler’s belongings and that experts advised “it was something they needed to disarm.” It was rendered safe.
The GoFundMe page for Marburger was updated again on Sunday.
“All of the Marburger family and the entire Perry community will forever be touched by the selflessness of Mr. Marburger. This GoFundMe will continue to be used for the Marburger family as they process through and live out Dan’s legacy,” it read.