One Dead, Seven Injured in Shooting at Perry High School; Principal Dan Marburger Critically Injured

On January 5, 2024, a shooting occurred at Perry High School in Iowa.
Principal Dan Marburger tried to distract the shooter so that students could flee from danger, but he also sustained critical injuries in the attack.
The shooter was identified as Dylan Butler, a student at the school who died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after killing one sixth-grader and injuring seven others.
One Dead, Seven Injured in Shooting at Perry High School; Principal Dan Marburger Critically Injured

On January 5, 2024, a shooting occurred at Perry High School in Iowa. The shooter was identified as Dylan Butler, a student at the school who died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after killing one sixth-grader and injuring seven others. Principal Dan Marburger tried to distract the shooter so that students could flee from danger, but he also sustained critical injuries in the attack. The shooting began early in the morning before most students were at school, and witnesses initially mistook gunshots for disruptive noise like a popped balloon or dropped bag. The motive behind this tragic event is still being investigated.


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Confidence

90%

Doubts

Sources

80%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Iowa school shooting: principal critically injured, police say

The Associated Press News SCOTT McFETRIDGE, Friday, 05 January 2024 05:14
  • Unique Points
    • Perry High School Principal Dan Marburger tried to distract the shooter so that students could flee.
    • The shooting began early in the morning, before most students were at the school.
  • Accuracy
    • The state Department of Public Safety said Marburger acted selflessly and placed himself in harm's way to protect his students.
    • Perry Superintendent Clark Wicks said several people helped others to safety during the shooting, including Middle School Assistant Principal Adam Jessen who carried a wounded student into a safe area.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The article contains several examples of informal fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by stating that the principal acted selflessly and placed himself in harm's way for his students without providing any evidence or context about this claim.
    • PERRY, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa principal critically injured in a school shooting put himself in harm’s way so students could try to escape from a teenage shooter who opened fire in a cafeteria as students were gathering for breakfast before class, authorities said Friday. Perry High School Principal Dan Marburger and six others, including two staff members and four teenage students, were injured in the Thursday morning shooting that left one sixth-grader dead. The 17-year-old student who opened fire also died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot.
    • The state Department of Public Safety said Marburger, who is being treated in a Des Moines hospital, “acted selflessly and placed himself in harm’s way in an apparent effort to protect his students.”
    • Wicks, the superintendent, said Marburger was a “hero” who intervened with Butler so students could escape.
    • One mother, Bobbi Bushbaum, posted on Facebook that her son Corey was shot multiple times and underwent one surgery. She expressed thanks to those who helped pull him to safety.
  • Bias (85%)
    The article contains several examples of bias. The author uses language that dehumanizes the shooter by referring to him as a 'quiet person who had been bullied relentlessly since elementary school'. This is an example of emotional appeal and victimization. Additionally, the author quotes witnesses describing how they were able to escape from danger due to actions taken by Principal Marburger, which could be seen as hero worship or hagiography.
    • The shooter was a 'quiet person who had been bullied relentlessly since elementary school'.
    • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
      The article reports on a school shooting at Perry High School in Iowa. The author is Scott McFetridge and Ryan J. Foley of the Associated Press (AP). They have not disclosed any conflicts of interest related to this topic.
      • Adam Jessen
        • Ahmir Jolliff
          • Bobbi Bushbaum (Corey's mother)
            • Butler's background investigation
              • Butler's social media profiles, including posts on TikTok and Reddit
                • Clark Wicks (Perry Superintendent)
                  • Dan Marburger
                    • Dylan Butler
                      • Perry Community School District diversity statistics (31% Hispanic, nearly 19% born outside the U.S.)
                        • small town community coming together to get through the painful experience of a school shooting.
                        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                          The author has multiple conflicts of interest on the topics provided. The article discusses the shooting at Perry High School and mentions several individuals involved in the incident including Ahmir Jolliff, Dylan Butler, Adam Jessen, Corey Bushbaum and Bobbi Bushbaum. However it does not disclose any financial ties or personal relationships that these individuals may have with each other or with anyone else.
                          • Ahmir Jolliff shot three times and killed by gunman Dylan Butler, who also died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

                          74%

                          The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
                          (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

                          A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

                          Iowa school shooter is believed to have posted an ominous TikTok video before killing a 6th grader and wounding 7 people

                          CNN News Site: In-Depth Reporting and Analysis with Some Financial Conflicts and Sensational Language Elizabeth Wolfe, Friday, 05 January 2024 07:24
                          • Unique Points
                            • The shooting happened before the classes at Perry High School.
                            • At first, some witnesses mistook the gunshots for disruptive noise like a popped balloon or dropped bag.
                            • Principal Dan Marburger tried to save students by talking to and distracting the shooter during the deadly attack.
                          • Accuracy
                            No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
                          • Deception (50%)
                            The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the title of the article mentions that a sixth-grade student was killed and seven people were wounded. However, this information is not accurate as it states that Ahmir Jolliff was shot three times but did not die from his injuries.
                            • The title of the article claims that a sixth-grade student was killed and seven people were wounded. This statement is false as it mentions that Ahmir Jolliff was shot three times but did not die from his injuries.
                          • Fallacies (100%)
                            None Found At Time Of Publication
                          • Bias (85%)
                            The article contains a TikTok video that the shooter is believed to have posted before the shooting. The caption of the video has been removed from TikTok due to its lyrics being cited by student gunmen who carried out massacres at Columbine High School in Colorado and Perry High School in Iowa. This suggests a potential connection between bullying, mental health issues, and violence.
                            • On the morning of the shooting, Dylan Butler opened fire inside a school bathroom posing with a blue duffel bag.
                              • The caption of the TikTok video posted by Dylan Butler before the shooting was removed from TikTok due to its lyrics being cited by student gunmen who carried out massacres at Columbine High School in Colorado and Perry High School in Iowa.
                              • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                                The article discusses the shooting at Perry High School in Iowa and reports on the TikTok video that was posted by Ahmir Jolliff before he carried out the attack. The authors also mention their previous reporting on Columbine High School massacre in Colorado, USA which raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
                                • Ahmir Jolliff is reported to have posted a TikTok video prior to carrying out the shooting at Perry High School.
                                • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                                  The author has a conflict of interest on the topics of school shooting and gun violence as they are reporting on an incident that involved firearms. The article also mentions Columbine High School massacre in Colorado, USA which is another topic related to gun violence.

                                  78%

                                  The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
                                  (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

                                  A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

                                  Perry High School, Iowa, is site of the first mass shooting we'll forget in 2024

                                  The Arizona Republic Friday, 05 January 2024 00:00
                                  • Unique Points
                                    • The standard national reaction to mass shootings has come to follow a well-worn script with politicians expressing sadness and shock as if anyone is shocked anymore, offering thoughts and prayers while telling us we must give victims families time to mourn by which they mean time to forget.
                                  • Accuracy
                                    • Mass shooting numbers have been overwhelming with 656 mass shootings in the United States last year.
                                  • Deception (50%)
                                    The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that Columbine High School massacre was unimaginable at the time of its occurrence but now it has fallen to number 16 on the list of mass shootings in America. However, this statement contradicts itself as it implies that Columbine was not a significant event when it happened and yet is being used as an example for comparison with other mass shootings. Secondly, the author uses emotional manipulation by stating that most people will forget about Perry High School shooting of 2024 which occurred on January 5th, 2024. This statement implies a sense of inevitability and normalcy around mass shootings which is not accurate or healthy.
                                    • The author uses emotional manipulation by stating that most people will forget about Perry High School shooting of 2024 which occurred on January 5th, 2024. This statement implies a sense of inevitability and normalcy around mass shootings which is not accurate or healthy.
                                    • The author claims that Columbine was unimaginable at the time but now it has fallen to number 16 on the list of mass shootings in America. This statement contradicts itself as it implies that Columbine was not a significant event when it happened and yet is being used as an example for comparison with other mass shootings.
                                  • Fallacies (85%)
                                    The article contains several fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by citing the number of mass shootings in America and gun deaths without providing any evidence or sources for these claims. Additionally, the author commits a false dilemma by presenting only two options: either politicians act quickly or they give victims time to mourn and grieve, implying that there are no other alternatives. The article also contains an example of inflammatory rhetoric when the author describes mass shootings as
                                    • willful, malicious or accidental
                                    • numbered 18,854.
                                    • “We ask that you refer to the individual who opened fire in the theater on July 20th as ‘the shooter’ or ‘the defendant”
                                    • Tom Teves said at the time, “Stop showing cowards and start showing heroes, so that another father doesn't feel the hole in his body that I have and I know will never go away.”
                                  • Bias (85%)
                                    The article is biased towards gun control and the idea that mass shootings are becoming normalized. The author uses language such as 'willful, malicious or accidental' to describe gun deaths which implies a moral judgment on those who die from guns. Additionally, the author mentions how politicians offer thoughts and prayers but do not act in haste which is an opinion rather than factual information.
                                    • The article uses language such as 'willful, malicious or accidental' to describe gun deaths
                                      • The author implies a moral judgment on those who die from guns by using the phrase 'willful, malicious or accidental'
                                        • The author mentions how politicians offer thoughts and prayers but do not act in haste which is an opinion rather than factual information.
                                        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                                          None Found At Time Of Publication
                                        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
                                          None Found At Time Of Publication

                                        73%

                                        The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
                                        (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

                                        A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

                                        Iowa school principal was shot trying to distract shooter so students could flee, his daughter says

                                        CBS News Site: https://www.cbsnews.com/articles/about-us/ Kerry Breen Saturday, 06 January 2024 08:26
                                        • Unique Points
                                          • The shooting began early in the morning, before most students were at the school.
                                          • One sixth-grader was killed and seven others injured in the shooting.
                                          • Perry High School Principal Dan Marburger tried to distract the shooter so that students could flee. He remains hospitalized with critical injuries.
                                        • Accuracy
                                          No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
                                        • Deception (50%)
                                          The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that the principal tried to distract the shooter so students could flee. However, there is no evidence of this in any official reports or eyewitness accounts. Secondly, Claire Marburger's Facebook post contains multiple statements that contradict each other and are not supported by facts. For example, she states that her father was trying to talk down the shooter but also says he tried to distract him so students could flee. Thirdly, there is no mention of any motive for the shooting in this article.
                                          • The author claims that Dan Marburger tried to distract the shooter so students could flee. However, there is no evidence of this in any official reports or eyewitness accounts.
                                        • Fallacies (85%)
                                          The article contains several fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by citing the Iowa Department of Public Safety as a source for information about the shooting and its victims. This is problematic because it implies that this organization has some sort of expertise or knowledge in matters related to school shootings, when in reality they may not have any such qualifications. Additionally, there are several instances where the author uses inflammatory rhetoric by describing the actions of Principal Dan Marburger as
                                          • gentle giant
                                          • amazing person
                                          • devastated about what happened at Perry High School.
                                        • Bias (85%)
                                          The author's bias is evident in the way they describe the actions of Principal Dan Marburger. The author uses language that portrays him as a hero who put himself in harm's way to protect his students and staff. This is not an objective description but rather one that reflects a positive view of Marburger.
                                          • Claire Marburger described her father as a 'gentle giant'
                                            • The principal tried to distract the teenage shooter
                                            • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                                              Kerry Breen has a conflict of interest on the topic of school shootings as she is reporting on an incident at Perry Middle School in Iowa where her father Dan Marburger was shot by the gunman. The article does not disclose this conflict.
                                              • The author, Kerry Breen, reports that her father Dan Marburger tried to distract the shooter so students could flee.
                                              • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                                                Kerry Breen has a conflict of interest on the topics of Perry High School and Iowa Department of Public Safety as she is reporting on an incident that occurred at these institutions. Additionally, her personal relationship with Dan Marburger may affect her objectivity in covering his role in the shooting.
                                                • Kerry Breen reports on a school shooting at Perry Middle School, Iowa and mentions Dan Marburger as being involved.