Dan Marburger, the principal who got shot while protecting students during the shooting at Perry High School in Iowa on January 4, has passed away.
The Perry Community School District confirmed Marburger’s death on its website. A statement on a GoFundMe page set up to help the Marburger family also confirmed the sad news.
“Dan was a great leader in our school district and a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Our school community is really sad about Dan’s death,” the school district’s statement said. “Dan was a part of our Perry Community School District for almost thirty years. We feel a huge loss of a dedicated and caring colleague.”
“All of the Marburger family and the entire Perry Community will always be touched by Mr. Marburger’s selflessness,” the GoFundMe page statement added. The money raised will continue to support Marburger’s family.
As reported earlier, Marburger was shot and injured on January 4 when a 17-year-old entered Perry High School with a shotgun and a handgun before school hours. Unfortunately, a sixth-grade student, 11-year-old Ahmir Jolliff, lost his life. Marburger and four other students were also injured during the incident.
The suspected attacker was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot when the authorities arrived, according to Iowa police.
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds issued a statement on Marburger’s death on Sunday.
“The whole state is very sad about Dan Marburger’s death. Kevin and I send our deepest condolences to his wife and family as we pray for their comfort during this very hard time,” she said. “Dan bravely put himself in harm’s way to protect his students and, in the end, gave his own life to save them. He will always be remembered for his selfless and heroic actions. May he rest in peace.”
Flags in Iowa are at half-staff throughout the state and will remain so until sunset on the day of Marburger’s funeral.
