Perry school shooting: Funeral set for slain sixth-grader

PERRY, Iowa (WOWT) - Funeral plans for the 11-year-old killed in last week’s school shooting in Perry have been set for later this week.

Sixth-grader Ahmir Jolliff died Thursday after an older student shot him three times before turning a gun on himself, Iowa authorities reported last week.

Ahmir’s funeral is planned for 10:30 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Perry, with overflow seating available across the street at First Christian Church.

Visitation will take place from 4-7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home’s chapel.

“Ahmir was a vibrant soul, known for his infectious smile and boundless energy. His love for life was reflected in his diverse array of hobbies, including participating in the choir and band, playing soccer, and immersing himself in the world of video games. Always on the move, Ahmir refused to be tied down, seeking adventure and excitement in every aspect of his life.

Among his many passions, Ahmir had a special fondness for board games and cherished the opportunity to connect with others. His heartwarming visits to the elderly showcased his compassion and the genuine connections he valued with people of all ages. Ahmir was not just a bright light; he was a steadfast defender of justice. He stood up against bullies, championing those who needed a voice and ensuring that kindness prevailed.

Ahmir’s impact reached far beyond his immediate circles. His love for community and dedication to uplifting those around him left an indelible mark on the hearts of many. His departure leaves a void that can never be filled, but the memories of his infectious laughter, compassionate spirit, and unwavering commitment to making the world a better place will live on in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to know him.”

Also on Monday, the parents of Dylan Butler, the 17-year-old who killed Ahmir and wounded several other people at Perry High School last week, issued a statement about the incident.

Jack and Erin Butler sent the following statement to several news organizations, including WHO-13, the NBC affiliate in Des Moines:

“As the minutes and hours have passed since the horrors our son Dylan inflicted on the victims, the Perry School, and the community, we have been trying to make sense out of the senseless. We are simply devasted and our grief for the deceased, his family, and the wounded and their families is immeasurable.

When we dropped off our son for school on January 4th, we had no inkling he intended the horrible violence he was about to inflict. On the way to school Dylan had been discussing with us of future plans and it felt like he was ready to get back to school after Christmas vacation and the start of a new semester. Dylan’s sister, our daughter, was in the school at the time of the shooting. We simply do not understand how this could happen and why Dylan chose to do what he did.

Perry is our home and beloved community. We would never wish the harm and pain that Dylan’s actions caused on anyone and we could not have imagined that Dylan would carry out such a heinous act. Our family has to mourn and bury our son, and live with this terrible legacy.

We cannot repay the grace we have been shown in public and private. We are helping authorities and will continue to help to provide answers to the questions of why our son committed this senseless crime. Through God’s grace we hope the answers can be found and that those answers will prevent other young people from harming others.

At this time, our family will have no further comment.”

The Iowa Department of Public Safety reported that seven people — three staffers and four students — were also injured in the shooting.

Among them was PHS Principal Dan Marburger, who authorities said suffered mulitple gunshot wounds and remained in critical condition. His daughter posted a tribute last week on Facebook, saying her dad — whom she referred to as a “gentle giant” — was in stable condition.

IDPS said his actions were heroic.

“The investigation thus far confirms Principal Marburger acted selflessly and placed himself in harm’s way in an apparent effort to protect his students,” the release states.

The incident is still under investigation.

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