Iowa police officers are on the scene of a shooting Monday that has killed two students and injured an employee.The shooting was reported at about 12:53 p.m. at Starts Right Here, a Des Moines non-profit organization focused on helping at-risk youth. Starts Right Here was created by activist and rapper Will Keeps. The outreach center is located at 455 Southwest 5th St.Starts Right Here has been a partner of Des Moines Public Schools since 2021. They serve between 40-50 DMPS students at a time. No DMPS staff were onsite at the time of the shooting.According to police, three people were shot. Two students were taken to the hospital with critical injuries. They have since died. A third person, an employee of Starts Right Here, was transported to the hospital in serious condition. They have been taken into surgery.The ages of the students are unknown at this time.Police say that approximately 20 minutes after the shooting incident, three suspects were taken into custody following a traffic stop. Two suspects remained in the vehicle, while a third suspect fled on foot and was apprehended. No charges have been filed yet.Sgt. Paul Parizek with the DMPD said that the shooting was a targeted incident. Police say they have taken all suspects into custody. Police have not released the identities of the suspects. The DMPD is expected to give an update on the shooting Monday night at 9 p.m.Gov. Kim Reynolds released the following statement following the shooting:“I am shocked and saddened to hear about the shooting at Starts Right Here. I’ve seen first-hand how hard Will Keeps and his staff works to help at-risk kids through this alternative education program. My heart breaks for them, these kids and their families. Kevin and I are praying for their safe recovery.” Des Moines Public Schools released the following statement following the shooting:“We are saddened to learn of another act of gun violence, especially one that impacts an organization that works closely with some of our students. We are still waiting to learn more details, but our thoughts are with any victims of this incident and their families and friends. Starts Right Here is a valuable partner to DMPS, doing important work to help us re-engage students, and we stand by to support them during this critical time.”This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Iowa police officers are on the scene of a shooting Monday that has killed two students and injured an employee.
The shooting was reported at about 12:53 p.m. at Starts Right Here, a Des Moines non-profit organization focused on helping at-risk youth. Starts Right Here was created by activist and rapper Will Keeps. The outreach center is located at 455 Southwest 5th St.
Starts Right Here has been a partner of Des Moines Public Schools since 2021. They serve between 40-50 DMPS students at a time. No DMPS staff were onsite at the time of the shooting.
According to police, three people were shot. Two students were taken to the hospital with critical injuries. They have since died. A third person, an employee of Starts Right Here, was transported to the hospital in serious condition. They have been taken into surgery.
The ages of the students are unknown at this time.
Police say that approximately 20 minutes after the shooting incident, three suspects were taken into custody following a traffic stop. Two suspects remained in the vehicle, while a third suspect fled on foot and was apprehended. No charges have been filed yet.
Sgt. Paul Parizek with the DMPD said that the shooting was a targeted incident. Police say they have taken all suspects into custody. Police have not released the identities of the suspects.
The DMPD is expected to give an update on the shooting Monday night at 9 p.m.
Gov. Kim Reynolds released the following statement following the shooting:
“I am shocked and saddened to hear about the shooting at Starts Right Here. I’ve seen first-hand how hard Will Keeps and his staff works to help at-risk kids through this alternative education program. My heart breaks for them, these kids and their families. Kevin and I are praying for their safe recovery.”
Des Moines Public Schools released the following statement following the shooting:
“We are saddened to learn of another act of gun violence, especially one that impacts an organization that works closely with some of our students. We are still waiting to learn more details, but our thoughts are with any victims of this incident and their families and friends. Starts Right Here is a valuable partner to DMPS, doing important work to help us re-engage students, and we stand by to support them during this critical time.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
