Des Moines school shooting - live: Three suspects arrested in mass shooting as victim identified
Three suspects are in custody according to police
Your support helps us to tell the story
My recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.
Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.
Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyond
Eric Garcia
Washington Bureau Chief
A shooting at a Des Moines, Iowa, non-profit organisation for urban youth has left two students dead and a teacher injured, according to police.
The shooting took place at a programme called Starts Right Here, which is affiliated with the Des Moines school district, the Associated Press reported. The programme is held at a business park in the city.
Police said “multiple suspects” were taken into custody about 20 minutes after the incident.
Three people were stopped in a vehicle and one attempted to run but was apprehended.
Sergeant Paul Parizek of the Des Moines Police Department said that the shooting is a targeted incident.
Follow for the latest updates.
Student’s father: ‘This has to stop'
Deandre Smith said his daughter goes to a youth program at Starts Right Here. She called him about the shooting.
Mr Smith said: “This has to stop”.
'Incident was definitely targeted’
Sergeant Paul Parizek of the Des Moines Police Department told reporters on Monday afternoon that the traffic stop in which the suspects were apprehended occurred near MacRae Park. Three people were arrested.
“The incident was definitely targeted. It was not random,” Mr Parizek said. “There was nothing random about this.”
Everything we know so far
Two students killed and teacher injured in Des Moines shooting
‘Multiple suspects’ in custody following deadly violence in Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines Public Schools ‘saddened’ by violence at ‘valuable partner'
Des Moines Public Schools released the following statement after news of the shooting broke:
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 waiting to learn more details, but our thoughts are with any victims and their families and friends. Starts Right Here is a valuable partner, doing important work to help us re-engage students, and we stand by to support them during this critical time.
Governor Kim Reynolds issues statement
Governor Kim Reynolds released a 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.
Three suspects in custody
Approximately 20 minutes after the shooting, three suspects were taken into custody following a traffic stop.
Two people remained in the vehicle but a third fled on foot and was apprehended with the use of a canine unit.
Sergeant Paul Parizek with the Des Moines Police Department said that the shooting is a targeted incident.
Two students have died
Three people were shot in the incident, with two students taken to hospital with critical injuries.
They died. There is no confirmation of their ages at this time.
The third victim is listed as in a serious condition and is an employee of the school.
Shooting reported at Des Moines charter school
Des Moines police officers were dispatched to a non-profit organisation after two students were shot and one member of staff was injured in a shooting on Monday.
The shooting was reported at 12.53pm local time at the Starts Right Here non-profit school which is focused on helping at-risk youth.
America’s gun crisis, by the numbers
After recent shootings in California, Louisiana, and now Iowa, America’s gun violence epidemic shows no signs of stopping.
There have been 37 mass shootings in 2023, according to the Gun Violence Archive, more than one a day.
An Iowa community searchers for answers
Officials say it will take a whole-of-government approach to cut down on the type of gun violence that left two people dead and a third injured at a Des Moines youth centre on Monday.
“We’ve got to get everybody around the table and start finding the solutions to this because the police cannot do it all,” Des Moines police sergeant Paul Parizek told the New York Times. “We’re good at what we do, but that doesn’t give families any peace. That doesn’t give the friends of these kids any hope that it’s going to get any better. We need the support on that front side.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.