Perry High School principal injured in shooting dies
On the first day back to school after winter break, before the school day began, an active shooter investigation was confirmed at the high school in Dallas County. The suspected shooter and two victims, a sixth grader and the high school's principal, are dead, and six others were injured. Follow for updates.
In brief
On. Jan. 4, a 17-year-old student opened fire at Perry High School, killing a sixth grader and injuring seven others. The shooter killed himself as well. On Jan. 14, the high school's principal, who approached the shooter in the cafeteria and suffered multiple gunshot wounds, died from his injuries.
About the area
Perry, Iowa is a town of around 8,000 in Dallas County, situated around 40 miles northwest of the capital city of Des Moines. It is considered part of the Des Moines metro area.
The Perry Community School District serves 1,785 students in its elementary, middle and high school. Perry High School is the only high school in the Perry Community School District. The high school is a minority-majority school, serving a 64% minority population.
Perry is one of several spots around the U.S. with a growing Latino population.
Perry High School principal injured in shooting dies
A second person has died in connection with a shooting at Perry High School on Jan. 4.
The daughter of principal Dan Marburger posted on a GoFundMe page that her father died Sunday morning.
“He fought hard and gave us ten days we’ll treasure forever,” she wrote.
Marburger had reportedly approached the 17-year-old gunman and spoke to him, giving more students time to flee the cafeteria. He was shot multiple times.
Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a statement saying Marburger will forever be remembered for his selfless and heroic actions. She has ordered flags in the state to be flown at half staff until sunset on the day of Marburger’s funeral and internment.
The funeral for the other person killed in the shooting, 11-year-old Ahmir Jolliff, was held Thursday.
Perry Superintendent calls principal who was injured while protecting students 'a hero'
The superintendent of Perry Schools says staff at the city’s high school followed their training well during yesterday’s shooting. Clark Wicks singled out Principal Dan Marburger, who was among six people shot.
“Mr. Marburger was a hero. And I know that it helped the way that he approached that situation, and it saved some lives.”
Marburger’s daughter wrote in a Facebook post on Thursday night that her father had approached the gunman and spoke to him long enough for other students to get out of the cafeteria. A sixth grade student was killed and has been identified as Ahmir Jolliff.
Wicks says the high school will be closed for all of next week for cleaning and repairs. The earliest the city’s middle and elementary schools will reopen is next Friday. The district also says about 300 students and school staff have taken advantage of counseling services. Those will continue tomorrow.
Student killed in Perry High School shooting identified, victim count increased to 7
The Iowa State Medical Examiner has identified the 6th grader killed in Thursday’s Perry High School shooting as 11-year-old Ahmir Jolliff.
Jollif’s death was caused by three gunshot wounds. His death has been ruled a homicide. The deceased shooter was identified as 17-year-old Perry student Dylan Butler.
Officials have raised the total number of injured from five to seven. Three of the victims are school staff members and four are students. Perry High School Principal Dan Marburger has been identified as having suffered multiple gunshot wounds and remains in critical condition. An investigation shows that Marburger acted to protect students.
Marburger and two students remain hospitalized, while others have been treated and released.
Iowa Methodist Hospital says two of the three shooting victims it’s treating are still in critical condition
Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines says two out of three of the patients it received from Thursday morning’s shooting at Perry High School remain in critical condition.
Iowa Methodist Hospital says it received its first two victims — an adult man and male student — before 10 a.m. on Thursday. They are in the intensive care units.
Perry High School principal Dan Marburger has been identified as the only adult injured in the shooting.
A third victim, another male student, was treated for minor injuries and discharged the same day.
Carlos Pelaez, a trauma surgeon at Iowa Methodist, says his team was notified of the shooting around 8 a.m. and their mass casualty plan was implemented.
“Our team regularly conducts drills and undergoes training for events like this, ensuring that we're ready to respond promptly and effectively.”
The two other victims were taken to MercyOne Hospital in Des Moines. A spokesperson declined to provide an update on their condition. A sixth grade student was killed in the attack.
Administrator injured in shooting identified as school principal
The daughter of the principal at Perry High School has confirmed her father was among those injured in yesterday’s shooting by a student.
Claire Marburger posted on Facebook last night that her father Dan Marburger was in surgery all day yesterday and was stable.
She wrote it was no surprise to hear he tried to approach and talk to gunman Dylan Butler and distract him long enough for some students to get out of the cafeteria. Butler later took his own life.
"Knowing Dad, Dad is devastated about what happened today, he would be devastated about Dylan, Devastated about the victims, devastated for the community as every single community member is a vctim of this tragedy, it's things like this that he takes personally," she wrote. "What more could he do, what did he not do that he could have... he'd be extremely saddened the trauma and negative memories that are associated with his build and school now for many."
A sixth-grader at Perry Middle School was killed in the shooting. Four other students were wounded.
Perry community holds vigils for victims
People gathered at several vigils in Perry Thursday night, following the shooting at the city’s high school. Pastors offered words of comfort and wisdom.
New Day Assembly of God in Perry hosted one of the three prayer vigils. Youth Minister Ryan Yates acknowledged the darkness being experienced by the many students who were in attendance.
“The only hope for Perry High School, the only hope for your friends, teenagers, is God.”
Gov. Kim Reynolds attended but did not speak. Yates asked those gathered to turn away from the inevitable debate over gun violence, at least for now.
“It’s up to our governor but it’s not up to us to engage in political agendas; it’s up to us to share the love of Jesus Christ.”
Reverend Troy Renter of Harlan said parents can help their kids process this incident by being honest with them.
“The greatest gift that you can do is let your kids know, ‘I’m scared along with you. I’m standing here with you. I’m going to walk through this with you. We’re going to walk through it together.'”
One of the more memorable moments came when Pastor Greg Benton prayed for the family and friends of deceased gunman Dylan Butler.
Vigils planned in Perry
Several vigils are planned in Perry Thursday evening in the wake of the shooting at the high school. One will be at the New Day Assembly of God at 6 p.m.
Pastor Greg Benton is well aware of the political dialogue surrounding gun violence — and the current political landscape surrounding the Iowa caucuses. But he said Thursday night is not about politics.
While her appearance was not confirmed, Benton said he spoke with a representative of Gov. Kim Reynolds about a possible appearance.
Other vigils are planned at Weise Park at 6 p.m. and at Crossroads Church at 7 p.m.
Reynolds calls Perry shooting ‘senseless tragedy’
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds says she’s focusing on providing resources to people affected by Thursday’s shooting at Perry High School.
She says the shooting was a senseless tragedy that’s shaken the entire state to the core.
“I want this community to know that every Iowan stands with you. It’s impossible to understand why anything like this happens. But again I want you to know that we will work tirelessly to get the answers so that we can prevent it from happening again.”
Reynolds ordered all flags in Iowa to be lowered to half-staff until sunset on Sunday in support of the Perry community.
She previously directed $100 million of federal funding towardschool shooting prevention efforts. Reynolds has also signed laws to roll back gun regulations.
17-year-old student identified as Perry High School suspected shooter, 1 victim dead
Police have identified the suspected shooter at Perry High School as 17-year-old Dylan Butler, who died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Police say he had posted on social media prior to the incident. He was a Perry High School student.
In addition to Butler, four other students and one school administrator were injured at the scene, and one student, a sixth grader at the middle school, was killed. Police said the student may have been at the high school to take part in its breakfast program.
After arriving at the scene, police say they located Butler, who appeared to have fatally shot himself. He was armed with a pump action shotgun and a small-caliber handgun. Police say authorities also found an improvised explosive device on the scene.
At an afternoon press conference, Gov. Kim Reynolds addressed the families of the victims.
“Every Iowan stands with you,” she said.
Both ATF and the FBI are assisting in the ongoing investigation of the incident, according to police.
The incident in Iowa has been listed as the fourth mass shooting in the country in 2024, according to the nonprofit database Gun Violence Archive.
Iowa leaders respond to Perry shooting
Gov. Kim Reynolds has called the Thursday morning shooting at Perry High School a “senseless tragedy” in a social media post.
“Our prayers are with the students, teachers & families of the Perry community,” she wrote. “I have been in contact with law enforcement agencies & am continuing to monitor the situation. I will be joining their press conference today.”
Sen. Chuck Grassley called the shooting “appalling.”
Todays appalling violence at Perry HS is heartbreaking Barbara + I are grateful for quick response by school officials &law enforcement to protect students +restore safety. The Perry community is strong& will band 2gether thru hard time Im here 2help if addtl fed resources needed
— Chuck Grassley (@ChuckGrassley) January 4, 2024
Top Democrats in the Iowa Legislature say their hearts go out to families affected by a shooting.
House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst and Senate Minority Leader Pam Jochum say it’s too soon to say how Iowa’s gun policies may have affected the incident.
There are very few details available about the shooting in Perry.
“We’re focused on monitoring what’s happening there,” Konfrst said. “I’d rather keep the students and the faculty and the families as the focus right now on the Perry incident until we know what happened.”
Konfirst and Jochum made their comments Thursday morning at a forum hosted by the Iowa Capitol Press Association. Republican leaders were invited, but declined to participate.
Vigils and counseling:
For those looking for or needing support right now, the following support spaces and events are currently planned:
Vigils and prayer services:
- 2 p.m. Thursday: Perry Lutheran Homes, all three locations, offering prayer service.
- 6 p.m. Thursday: New Day Assembly of God is offering an open invitation to anyone who wants or needs to be around others to gather at the church. The church is located at 2313 1st Ave. in Perry.
- 7 p.m. Thursday: The Crossroads Church in Perry, led by Pastor Rick Gates, is planning a prayer vigil. The church is asking for volunteers to set up and tear down, according to the church's Facebook page. The church is located at 2810 1st Ave. in Perry.
Counseling:
- The Perry Public Library is offering counseling services as follows:
- Thursday, Jan. 4
- Friday, Jan. 5 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
- Saturday, Jan. 6
Here's how to support the Perry community:
For those wanting to support the Perry community, here’s a developing list of ways to help and resources for support:
- Liveserve Blood Center is reporting that it is actively sending blood and blood products to Des Moines area hospitals in response to the shooting at Perry High School. Individuals interested in responding to this tragedy are encouraged to schedule an appointment or walk-in to donate blood at any of their LifeServe Blood Center locations to help replenish the products being used.
Perry Elementary will not have school tomorrow.
Police confirm multiple injured, shooter identified
At a news conference held at 10 a.m., officials said Perry police found multiple people injured upon arriving at the scene, seven minutes after being notified at 7:37 a.m. there was an active shooter at the school.
The extent of injuries is unknown.
Police said the incident began before school started that day, and not many students or faculty were in the building when it occurred. It was the first day of school for Perry students following the winter break.
Police have identified the shooter, but did not confirm their current status, or if any victims have died.
There is no further danger to the public, they say.
There will be another update later on Thursday. Police say reunification centers have been established and believe most kids have been reunited with parents.
Massive police response to Perry
West Des Moines Police, Urbandale Police, Granger EMS, Iowa State Patrol are all responding to the scene. A media conference is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.
What we know so far:
7:37 a.m. - A possible shooting was first reported at Perry High School.
8:25 - The middle school was cleared.
8:27 - A second team was deployed to the high school to clear the school.
8:32 - The elementary school was evacuated and dismissed.
Both the Perry middle and elementary schools are clear.
Police report shooting at Perry high school
A shooting has been reported at a high school in Perry, Iowa, about 45 minutes northwest of Des Moines. Follow IPR for details as this story develops.