Authorities reported on Friday that a juvenile shooter opened gunfire in the cafeteria as students were assembling for breakfast before class. The principal of an Iowa school, who was gravely injured in the incident, placed himself in danger to protect the students.
Dan Marburger, the principal of Perry High School, and six other people—two employees and four teenagers—were hurt in the early-morning shooting on Thursday that claimed the life of a sixth-grader. The gunshot which appears to have been self-inflicted killed the 17-year-old student who opened fire as well.
Marburger, who is receiving medical attention in a hospital in Des Moines, “acted selflessly and placed himself in harm’s way in an apparent effort to protect his students,” according to the state Department of Public Safety.
Information about the other victims also surfaced. Authorities identified the deceased student as 11-year-old Ahmir Jollif, who sustained three gunshot wounds.
The gunfire occurred on Thursday just after 7:30 a.m., right before classes were scheduled to start on the first day back after winter vacation. Authorities reported that Dylan Butler, the suspect, was in possession of a small-caliber handgun and a pump-action shotgun.
Butler posted his photo from the same high school with the caption “Now we Wait.” The authorities have started an investigation. The school administrative shared that the school would be closed for the time being and the parents will be notified of further actions.