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BREAKING: Two students are shot to death at school in Iowa: Police say ‘multiple’ suspects are in custody
- The shooting took place at Starts Right Here, a Des Moines educational center that specializes in at-risk high school-age youth.
- Police said the shooting appeared to be a targeting of the victims, who have not yet been named: three suspects have been detained.
- A third student was injured and is said to be in critical condition at hospital.
A shooting at an Iowa school for at-risk youth left two students dead and a staff member wounded.
Students were shot around 1 p.m. Monday at Starts Right Here, an educational mentoring program founded by local activist and rapper Will Keeps, located in downtown Des Moines.
Sgt. Paul Parizek, a Des Moines police spokesman, said an adult employee of the nonprofit organization was injured and is in serious condition.
The two victims were found alive, but later died at the hospital.
Officials said the victims were attacked and there was “nothing random” about the attack.
The ages of the victims have not been released, but the school targets high school students who are no longer in a school building due to behavioral issues.
Emergency services move one of the people shot at the Starts Right Here school
A swarm of police cars on the scene outside Starts Right Here in Des Moines on Monday
Police stopped a car matching witness descriptions around 1:20 p.m. two miles from the school. Three suspects were taken into custody after one tried to flee the car.
A witness who works next door to Starts Right Here said he saw someone run out of the building after the shooting as police gave chase.
“We just saw a lot of police cars coming from everywhere,” witness Nicole Krantz told the Registration in Des Moines.
It’s frightening. We are all worried. We were locked up, obviously.
“We were all told to stay away from the windows because we weren’t sure if they got the guy,” Krantz said.
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, who sits on the school’s advisory board, said she was devastated by the shooting and praised the school’s president, Will Keeps.
“I am shocked and saddened to hear about the shooting at Starts Right Here,” she wrote in a statement.
‘I have seen first hand 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 his safe recovery.
Des Moines Public Schools also issued a statement.
“We are saddened to learn of another act of gun violence, especially one involving an organization that works closely with some of our students.
‘We are still awaiting further details, but our thoughts are with the victims of this incident and their families and friends.
“Starts Right Here is a valued partner for DMPS, doing important work to help us re-engage students, and we stand ready to support them during this critical time.”