On Jan. 14, 2024, Perry (Iowa) High School Principal Dan Marburger died from injuries sustained in the January 4th morning shooting during the breakfast program for students. It has been reported that Marburger acted heroically as he attempted to talk the shooter down and to distract him so students and staff could escape from the cafeteria during an attack that also killed a 6th grade student and injured four others.

The attack was the second school shooting of 2024.