The principal of an Iowa high school has died 10 days after being shot while trying to protect students during a deadly shooting at the school, authorities confirmed.Dan Marburger, the principal at Perry High School, was injured on 4 January when a student gunman opened fire in the cafeteria. The shooter, identified as Dylan Butler, killed 11-year-old student Ahmir Jolliff and injured several others before turning the gun on himself.Mr Marburger was initially reported as stable after the shooting. His daughter Claire said he had purposefully tried to distract the shooter to help students escape. Investigators praised his selfless actions, saying he placed himself in harms way in an apparent effort to protect his students.Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced Mr Marburgers death in a statement on Monday: Our entire state is devastated by the news of Dan Marburgers death. He courageously put himself in harms way to protect his students, and ultimately gave his own life to save them. His daughter remembered Mr Marburger as a gentle giant and amazing Dad. In a tribute posted last week, she wrote: 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. 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.The shooting has rocked the small town of Perry, located about 40 miles northwest of Des Moines. Mr Marburger was a beloved figure at the high school, where he had worked for two decades. His selfless actions on the day of the tragedy will ensure his legacy lives on.
