Perry, Iowa – The community of Perry in Iowa continues to grapple with the devastating loss of a student and the principal of Perry High School, who tragically died in a shooting incident that occurred on January 4. In response to the incident, the Dallas County Republicans made the decision to relocate caucus sites from Perry High School to Perry Elementary School before the Iowa caucus began. This decision was made out of respect for the community, as the town mourned the loss of two of its members.
Raymond Knapp, a member of the Dallas County GOP committee, expressed the overwhelming emotions felt by the community in the wake of the tragedy. He spoke of the deep impact the incident had on the entire community, extending to those who did not have children attending the school at the time. The decision to move the caucus to an alternate location was an important gesture of support for the grieving community.
Perry High School principal Dan Marburger died ten days after being shot during the tragedy. The shooting also claimed the life of Ahmir Jolliff, 11, and resulted in injuries to several others. The shooter, identified as Dylan Butler, 17, ultimately turned the gun on himself. However, reports indicate that Butler may have had plans to harm additional individuals, had the shooting occurred at a busier time of day.
Before his passing, the Uvalde Foundation For Kids had announced the establishment of a emergency fund to assist with Marburger’s medical expenses, recognizing his heroic efforts to protect his students. Marburger’s selfless act of placing himself between the shooter and the students highlighted the tremendous courage and dedication he had for the safety of those under his care.
Moreover, the tragedy has prompted discussions about school safety and the protection of students, with some advocating for training teachers to carry firearms for the purpose of defense. These conversations reflect the deep impact the incident has had on the community and the larger issue of ensuring the safety and security of students in educational environments. Such discussions are crucial in the ongoing efforts to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.