(ReliableNews.org) – America experienced another horrific school shooting on January 4. This time, the violence occurred at Perry High School in Perry, Iowa. Sadly, another life has been lost because of it.
Dan Marburger was the principal of Perry High for nearly 30 years. He began in the position in 1995. On January 4, he was welcoming children back to school after Christmas break, when a 17-year-old burst into the building and began shooting. Marburger sprang to action and tried to distract the shooter, Dylan Butler, while students escaped. The murderer turned his gun on the 56-year-old and shot him.
Marburger was immediately hailed a hero. He saved countless lives by stepping in and turning the shooter’s attention toward him. After the shooting, he was rushed to the hospital, and that’s where he remained until January 14, when he died just before 8 a.m. local time.
The principal’s death came just days after the funeral service for Ahmir Jolliff, a sixth-grade student at the middle school next door who was killed in the shooting. Four other students were also shot, and the gunman killed himself.
According to a GoFundMe fundraiser for his family, Marburger is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, parents, siblings, and various other family members. The fundraiser has generated nearly $200,000 as of the time of writing.
Governor Kim Reynolds (R) issued a press release upon learning of his death. She said the state was “devastated by the news” and offered her family’s “deepest condolences” to his loved ones. The governor said the late principal was courageous and “will forever be remembered for his selfless and heroic actions.”
The governor ordered all of the flags in the state to be lowered from January 14 until sunset on the day of his funeral. The Perry Community School District said its “school community is heartbroken” by the longtime principal’s murder.
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