Des Moines Police (DMPD) gave an update this afternoon on Monday’s school shooting at Starts Right Here (SRH) in Downtown Des Moines. The victims are 18-year-old Gionni Dameron, and 16-year-old Rashad Carr, both of Des Moines. The third victim, SRH founder, and CEO, William Holmes (AKA Will Keeps) remains hospitalized in serious condition after surgery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Start Right Here released a statement about the event that stated in part, “We are heartbroken and angry that two of our students were shot and killed yesterday afternoon.” And, continued, “This is a tremendously painful time for our entire Starts Right Here community as our sole focus is to help at-risk youth reach their full potential. These actions are contrary to all that we stand for and point out that more must be done. These two students had hope and a future that will never be realized. We can no longer say this type of violence doesn’t happen in Des Moines. Sadly, it does. However, it will not stop us from the work that we are called to do, and that work starts right here.”

Classes at the school are canceled for the remainder of the week at SRH. However, grief counselors have been made available to meet with students.

The suspect in the attack is 18-year-old Des Moines resident Preston Walls. He has been charged with two counts of 1st Degree Murder, Attempted Murder, and Criminal Gang Participation. A full report on the attack is available here.

Des Moines Police Department detectives continue to investigate this incident.