Trial begins for suspect in Des Moines school shooting that claimed 2 lives.
The Tragic Shooting at Starts Right Here
In Des Moines, Iowa, a trial is set to begin this week for the first of two teenagers charged with murder in a devastating shooting at a local alternative school. The incident left two students dead and the program’s founder injured.
Jury selection is scheduled to start on Monday for the trial of Preston Walls, 19, who is facing charges of two counts of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and criminal gang participation. Bravon Tukes, 19, will stand trial on the same charges on October 2.
The shooting took place on January 23 at Starts Right Here, an alternative program for at-risk students affiliated with the Des Moines public schools. Gionni Dameron, 18, and Rashad Carr, 16, tragically lost their lives, while the school’s founder, Will Keeps, sustained serious injuries but has since recovered.
The Shooting Incident
The tragic shooting occurred at midday in a small office park on the edge of downtown Des Moines, where Starts Right Here is located.
According to court documents, Preston Walls, who was armed with a handgun, entered the school, which he also attended. Despite the brave efforts of Mr. Keeps to intervene, Walls managed to break free and opened fire on Dameron, Carr, and Mr. Keeps. He then fled the building and escaped in a car driven by Bravon Tukes.
The three victims were rushed to the hospital, but sadly, the two teenagers could not be saved.
Prosecutors revealed that the shooting stemmed from a gang dispute, highlighting a YouTube video in which Carr rapped about the police shooting death of Tukes’ half-brother. However, family members deny that Carr and Dameron were involved in any gangs.
As the trial approaches, both the defense attorneys and prosecutors have chosen not to comment on the case.
Separate Trials
Originally, the plan was to hold a joint trial for Walls and Tukes. However, in April, a judge decided to separate the proceedings to allow one of the teens to testify in defense of the other.
Mr. Tukes’ attorneys requested the separation, stating that Walls had claimed Tukes was not involved in the shooting. They hope to have Walls testify in Tukes’ defense.
Police swiftly arrested Walls shortly after the shooting, while Tukes was apprehended several days later. Both are currently being held at the Polk County Jail.
The trial for Walls is expected to last for 10 days.
Recovery and Security Measures
Despite the tragedy, Starts Right Here reopened approximately a month after the shooting. As Des Moines schools resumed for the fall, a new group of students began attending the program.
The school now has enhanced security measures in place, including the presence of guards and the use of metal detectors.
Recently, Mr. Keeps announced that he has written a memoir detailing his experiences growing up in Chicago, joining a gang, and finding a fresh start in Des Moines, where he became a renowned rapper and community activist. He established Starts Right Here in 2021 and has received tremendous support from the mayor, business leaders, the police department, and Governor Kim Reynolds.
The release of his book is scheduled for October.
Following the shooting, the families of the victims filed a lawsuit against Starts Right Here and Mr. Keeps, alleging…
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