BREAKING NEWS: Two students are shot dead at Iowa school: Cops say ‘several’ suspects are in custody
- Filming took place at Starts Right Here, an educational center in Des Moines that specializes in at-risk high school-aged youth
- Cops said the shooting appears to have been a targeted attack on the victims, whose names have not yet been released: three suspects have been arrested
- A third student was injured and is said to be in critical condition in hospital
Two students were killed and one staff member injured in a shooting at a school for at-risk youth in Iowa.
The students were shot dead around 1 p.m. Monday at Starts Right Here, an educational mentorship program founded by local activist and rapper Will Keeps in downtown Des Moines.
Sergeant Paul Parizek, a spokesman for the Des Moines Police Department, said an adult employee of the nonprofit was wounded and is in serious condition.
The two victims were found alive but later died in hospital.
Officials said the victims were attacked and that the attack was “nothing accidental.”
The victims’ ages were not released, but the school is focusing on high school-age students who are no longer in a school building due to behavior issues.
Emergency services transport one of the people who was shot at Starts Right Here school
A swarm of police cars on Monday before the Starts Right Here in Des Moines
A car matching the descriptions of the witnesses was stopped by police at around 1:20 p.m. three kilometers from the school. Three suspects were arrested after one tried to flee the car.
A witness who works alongside Starts Right Here said she saw someone run out of the building after the shooting while police gave chase.
“We just saw a lot of police cars pouring in from everywhere,” witness Nicole Krantz told the Des Moines Register.
“It’s scary. We’re all worried. Of course we went into lockdown.
“We were all told to stay away from the windows because we weren’t sure if they got the guy,” Krantz said.
Kim Reynolds, the Iowa governor who is a member of the school board, said she was devastated by the shooting and praised school president Will Keeps.
“I am shocked and saddened to hear of the shooting at Starts Right Here,” she wrote in a statement.
“I’ve seen firsthand how hard Will Keeps 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 are praying for her safe recovery.’
Des Moines Public Schools also released a statement.
“We are saddened to learn of another act of gun violence, particularly one involving an organization that works closely with some of our students.
“We are still awaiting further details, but our thoughts are with all the victims of this incident and their families and friends.
“Starts Right Here is a valuable partner for DMPS who is doing important work to help us re-engage students and we stand ready to support them at this critical time.”
Mike Beranek, president of the Iowa State Education Association, called for more effective prevention of gun violence in educational institutions.
“Tragedy has once again struck near home. Our hearts go out to the victims, families and the Starts Right Here school community who are enduring the unthinkable,” Beranek said in a statement.
“We implore our elected leaders to consider effective strategies to eliminate gun violence and pursue concrete solutions that protect our students, educators and communities.
“Our schools must be bastions of security, not recipients of violence.
“That must have an end.
“As a nation, we need to recognize that this is a societal issue that seeps into our schools.”