Perry, Iowa is still reeling from the tragic shooting at Perry High School, which claimed the lives of a student and the school principal. The incident occurred on January 4th, when a gunman opened fire at the school. In the wake of this devastating event, the Dallas County Republicans made the decision to move caucus sites out of Perry High School before the Iowa caucus began.
Raymond Knapp, a member of the Dallas County GOP committee, expressed the committee’s decision to move the caucus to Perry Elementary School as a gesture of respect for the community. The decision was made to ensure that the community could come together and participate in the caucus without being reminded of the tragic events that had occurred at the high school.
Knapp expressed the deep impact of the shooting on the community, stating that “There’s a lot of people and it’s hard to imagine how many feelings it brings up of people who didn’t even have children in the school at the time.” The decision to move the caucus site was a small step towards supporting the healing process for the community.
The tragic loss of the Perry High School principal, Dan Marburger, brought a wave of grief to the community. Marburger passed away ten days after being shot during the incident. His heroic actions, as reported by the Uvalde Foundation For Kids, were an attempt to save his students during the shooting. The community mourns the loss of a dedicated and caring educator who put his students’ safety above his own.
The shooting also claimed the life of 11-year-old Ahmir Jolliff and injured several others. The shooter, identified as 17-year-old Dylan Butler, eventually turned the gun on himself. Reports indicate that Butler had plans to cause further harm, but the incident occurred before the school day had begun, minimizing the number of potential victims.
The tragic events at Perry High School have left the community grappling with grief and trauma. As the community continues to mourn and heal, the decision to move the caucus site reflects a small gesture of support and solidarity during a difficult time. The impact of such a tragic event will undoubtedly be felt for a long time, but the community remains resilient in the face of adversity.