Dan Marburger, a beloved principal who was shot while trying to protect students during a school shooting, has died after 10 days in the hospital.
The principal of Perry High School was one of three staff members and four students who were injured January 4 when a gunman opened fire at the high school in Perry, Iowa.
His family announced his death Sunday.
“At approximately 8:00 am, January 14, Dan lost his battle,” his wife Elizabeth wrote on a GoFundMe page. “He fought hard and gave us 10 days that we will treasure forever.”
The shooting began in the school’s cafeteria around 7:30 a.m. on January 4, the first day back after winter break.
According to reports, Marburger, 56, tried to “distract” the 17-year-old shooter and calm him down so other students could escape.
“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,” his daughter Clare wrote in a Facebook post. “That’s just dad.”
