Daughter of school principal injured in Iowa shooting says he tried to distract gunman

The daughter of the school administrator injured in an Iowa school shooting Thursday said she anticipated her father would attempt to distract the shooter, as he did, and would therefore be a victim in the shooting.

Claire Marburger shared a post on Facebook thanking the community for its support while her dad, Perry High School principal Dan Marburger, was in surgery after he was shot. The shooter — who was also a student — killed a sixth grader and injured four other students in the incident.

“As I heard of a gunman, I instantly had a feeling my Dad would be a victim as he would put himself in harms way for the benefit of the kids and his staff,” Claire Marburger wrote. “It is absolutely zero surprise to hear he tried to approach and talk Dylan down and distract him long enough for some students to get out of the cafeteria. That’s just Dad.”

Marburger said her father is in stable condition, describing him as “a gentle giant” and “an amazing Dad.” She added that her father is devastated about what happened, about the suspect, the victims and the community.

The suspect, identified Thursday as 17-year-old Dylan Butler, shot and killed himself as police responded minutes after first reports of the shooting, The Hill previously reported.

Two friends and their mother spoke with The Associated Press following the incident, claiming Butler was a quiet person who had been bullied for years. Local authorities said the teenager was found with a pump-action shotgun and a small-caliber handgun.

“Show grace to the Butler family, as we are not our kids mistakes and actions or our parents mistakes and actions,” Marburger wrote. “Remember this is something Dylan’s family has to live with too, as well as losing their child.”

Police have not confirmed any potential motive, citing early stages of the investigation.

Shortly before the shooting, Butler posted a photo on TikTok inside the bathroom of Perry High School, an official told the AP. The shooting happened around 7:30 a.m. Thursday, just before school started on the first day back after winter break.

Marburger called for positivity despite the tragic event.

“Please, please let’s share the positive memories and things of our school and community,” she wrote. “If you have a funny, uplifting story, or something dumb you did that got you in trouble with my Dad please share that.”

“We need a smile and laugh,” she added.