Shooting in Des Moines, Iowa: Suspect arrested after 2 Starts Right Here students die, education program founder in grave condition, police say



CNN

A man has been arrested and charged with murder after a shooting at an at-risk youth education program in Des Moines, Iowa, left two students dead and the program’s founder seriously injured, authorities said in a news release.

At 12:53 p.m. Monday, police and firefighters responded to a report of a shooting at 455 SW 5th Street, home of a non-profit organization called Starts Right Here, Des Moines police said in a press release.

They found the victims of the shooting, who were taken to hospitals. The names of those killed have not been released.

Preston Walls, 18, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, attempted murder and gang involvement, an updated police statement said.

“Walls and both deceased victims are known gang members belonging to opposing gangs, and evidence indicates that these crimes were committed as a result of an ongoing gang dispute,” the updated press release said. Des Moines police did not provide any further details regarding these claims.

Police said Walls turned off the GPS monitor on his ankle by court order about 16 minutes before the shooting.

CNN was unable to determine if Walls has hired a lawyer at this time.

Police are investigating a shooting that killed two people on January 2.  December 23, 2023 in Des Moines, Iowa.

Police did not identify the victim, but Des Moines Mayor Frank Kauni said he was the president of the Starts Right Here program and an R&B hip-hop artist. Will Holmes, also known as “Will Keeps”. The police said he was in critical condition.

The shooting came after the suspect, who had a 9mm pistol with an extended magazine, “entered the common area where all three victims were,” police said in a statement.

Holmes “tried to get the Walls out of the area. Walls pulled away from Holmes, drew his gun, and began shooting at both teenage victims. Holmes stood by and was also shot dead. After that, Walls fled the scene, ”the message says.

Police obtained a description of the vehicle associated with the shooting and stopped traffic approximately 20 minutes after the shooting, two miles away, Police Sgt. Paul Parizek stated this at a press conference.

According to Parizek, two people remained in the car, while one got out and ran away. According to him, the police found the suspect with a tracking dog.

Police say they found a 9mm handgun nearby. “The ammo magazine in the pistol holds 31 rounds and contains three,” the press release says.

Two more people remain in custody while police investigate the incident.

Des Moines, Iowa.  The police arrived at the scene of the shooting on January 1.  23, 2034.

According to the Starts Right Here website, “Starts Right Here (SRH) is committed to inspiring at-risk youth in Des Moines public schools and motivating youth through speaking. Will Keep, President of SRH, sings uplifting songs to inspire and tell the truth.”

Keeps is a Chicago-raised rapper who moved to Des Moines.

“I want to take a moment to talk about the horrific shooting this afternoon at the school program Starts Right Here on Southwest 5th Street. and is run by a friend of the city, Will Kips, who is recuperating in the hospital tonight, Kauni said in video statement.

The mayor called the shooting “a story that repeats itself – a tragic story of young lives taken too soon by gun violence.”

Des Moines Public Schools The website says SRH is working with the school district to help students in the district’s Options Academy credit recovery program and to support students who are no longer in the school building. According to the school district, SRH serves 40-50 DMPS students at any given time.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, who is listed on the website’s advisory board, said she was “shocked and saddened” by the shooting.

“I am shocked and saddened to learn about the shooting in Starts Right Here. I have personally seen how hard Will Keep and his staff work to help at-risk children through this alternative education program. My heart breaks for them, these children and their families. Kevin and I pray for their safe recovery,” Reynolds said in a statement.