Iowa principal shot by Perry High School shooter Dylan Butler tried to distract gunman so students could flee, his daughter claims — as she reveals hero teacher remains in hospital in stable condition

The Iowa high school principal who was shot and wounded by gunman Dylan Butler tried to distract the gunman so students could flee, his daughter claimed in a Facebook post.

One of the five people injured in Thursday's shooting was the school's principal, Dan Marburger, who was rushed to the hospital to undergo surgery for his gunshot wounds.

In a Facebook post, Claire Marburger expressed her dismay upon hearing about the tragic incident, claiming her father began talking to the gunman — in an attempt to take him down and get students to flee, she said Thursday evening.

She said she “immediately had the feeling” her father would put himself in danger to save students and staff.

“When I heard about a shooter, I immediately felt that my father would be the victim because he would put himself in danger for the sake of the children and his staff,” she wrote. “It is absolutely no surprise to learn that he tried to talk Dylan down and distract him long enough for some students to leave the cafeteria. That's just daddy.'

Dylan Butler, 17, a senior at Perry High School, opened fire Thursday morning, fatally shooting a sixth-grader and wounding five others. Hours before the shooting, Butler posted a TikTok of himself posing in what appeared to be the school's restroom, writing, “Now we wait.”

Law enforcement officers work the scene of a shooting at Perry High School in Perry, Iowa

“Knowing Dad, Dad is devastated by what happened today. He would be devastated for Dylan, devastated for the victims, devastated for the community as every member of the community is a victim of this tragedy.”

Claire said her father takes things like this personally. What else could he have done, what didn't he do that he could have done… he would be deeply saddened by the trauma and negative memories associated with his building and school now for many.

'Knowing Dad, he would also say that his ugly face shows up too much online, because he gets the attention because he is a deserving hero. Please reach out to the other families of the victims,” she added.

“Show mercy to the Butler family, for we are not the mistakes and actions of our children, or the mistakes and actions of our parents. Remember, this is something Dylan's family must also live with, in addition to losing their child.”

She said her father is known as a “gentle giant” and a “great father and just a great person.”

“He does everything for us kids, including driving seven hours each way on school nights to see my school games in Decorah. “I stayed long enough to give me $20, tell me I played well, give me a hug and go out,” she said.

According to his daughter, Marburger is currently in stable condition in the hospital.

In December, just weeks before the shooting, Butler posted another video to the same social media account of himself sitting on the children's playground equipment with a friend and pretending to be in a gunfight with sticks.

The teenage gunman at an Iowa school — who killed one child and injured five others, including his principal — turned the gun on himself after his rampage, police said.

Dylan Butler, 17, a senior at Perry High School, opened fire Thursday morning, fatally shooting a sixth-grader attending Perry's Middle School.

Butler was armed with a shotgun and a pump-action pistol – both of which are illegal in Iowa for a 17-year-old. He also had a rudimentary explosive device, which failed to detonate and was later recovered by firefighters.

The 17-year-old died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound when first responders arrived at the school shortly after 7:40 a.m. The ordeal led to a mass evacuation of 1,785 students on their first day of classes after winter break. Police have not yet provided a possible motive.

One of the five injured was the school's principal, Dan Marburger, who was rushed to hospital and is currently undergoing surgery for his gunshot wounds.

The other four injured were students. Of the five, one is in critical condition, although police have not confirmed whether this was the principal or a student.

Hours before the shooting at 7:37 a.m., Butler posted a TikTok posing in what appeared to be the school bathroom, with the caption, “Now we wait.”

The senior made a strange face as a blue duffel bag sat on the floor of the stall.

Butler posted the TikTok selfie with the song “Stray Bullet” playing in the background.

Dallas County Sherriff Adam Infante confirmed at an 11 a.m. news conference that police officers arrived at the high school seven minutes after the first call

In December, just weeks before the shooting, Butler posted another video to the same social media account of himself sitting on children's playground equipment with a friend and pretending to be in a gunfight with sticks.

Butler is 'shot' by the stick and falls down the children's slide.

On Thursday morning, hundreds of emergency services were on the scene, 25 miles northwest of Des Moines. Ambulances, police units, air ambulances and firefighters were called to the school at 7.37am.

The Dallas County Sheriff's Office confirmed the shooting, which occurred on the first day of classes. The FBI Omaha Des Moines was on scene, as was the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

County Sherriff Adam Infante said at an 11 a.m. news conference that police officers arrived at the high school seven minutes after the first call was made.

First responders found “several gunshot victims” inside the school – and at a press conference at 3 p.m., police confirmed the number of injured was five.