The heroic principal who recently risked his life to save students during the Iowa school shooting died Sunday from his injuries.
Dan Marburger confronted 17-year-old gunman Dylan Butler after Butler pulled a gun on the morning of Jan. 5 at Perry High School, about 30 miles northwest of Des Moines.
The principal’s courageous actions gave students time to escape, and authorities credited him with saving many lives.
“Our entire state is devastated by the news of Dan Marburger’s death,” Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said in a statement. “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.”
AP
Police respond to Perry High School in Iowa on Jan. 4. (AP)
Marburger is now the second victim to die from the shooting. Butler also killed 11-year-old Ahmir Jolliff. Six others were wounded in the shooting, and Butler died from a self-inflicted gunshot at the scene.
Butler was armed with a shotgun and a handgun when he entered the school. After he died, cops found and disarmed a homemade explosive device in his backpack.
One day after the shooting, Iowa state police said Marburger “acted selflessly and placed himself in harm’s way in an apparent effort to protect his students.” Perry district superintendent Clark Wicks called Marburger a hero for his actions.
Marburger had been the principal at Perry High since 1995. Reynolds ordered all flags in Iowa lowered to half-staff in his honor.
“All of the Marburger family and the entire Perry Community will forever be touched by the selflessness of Mr. Marburger,” read a GoFundMe for the victim’s family. “He fought hard and gave us 10 days that we will treasure forever.”
With News Wire Services