The daughter of Perry High School's principal said Friday that her father tried to distract the gunman in the nation's latest mass shooting to give students at the Iowa school more time to flee.
In a lengthy Facebook post, Claire Marburger provided an update on the condition of her father, Dan Marburger, saying he "was in surgery all day, and is currently stable."
She revealed her father's act of heroism during the shooting, which occurred on the school's first day back from winter break when student Dylan Butler, 17, opened fire just after 7:30 a.m. on the few students and faculty who were in the building.
Butler was reportedly armed with a pump-action shotgun and a small-caliber handgun. A "rudimentary" explosive device was also found during a search of the school.
"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.
"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 victim to this tragedy, its things like this that he takes personally. 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 building and school now for many."
She added that her father would say "his ugly face is popping up too much online" and would want people to "reach out to the other victims families."
Dan Marburger was one of five people injured in the shooting at Perry High, which shares its campus with the middle school. A sixth-grade student was killed in the attack.
Claire Marburger also called on people to show kindness to the family of the shooter, saying that it's a painful time for them, too.
"Show grace to the Butler family, as we are not our kids mistakes and actions or our parents mistakes and actions," she wrote. "Remember this is something Dylan's family has to live with too, as well as losing their child."
Ending on a consolatory note, Claire Marburger asked Perry residents to share "positive memories and things of our school and community."
"If you have a funny, uplifting story: or something dumb you did that got you in trouble with my Dad please share that," she said. We need a smile and laugh."
There's been no word yet as to Butler's motive.
Nicole Wells ✉
Nicole Wells, a Newsmax general assignment reporter covers news, politics, and culture. She is a National Newspaper Association award-winning journalist.
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