15-Year-Old Killed in Drive-By Shooting Outside East High School
Six teens are facing murder charges in connection with the drive-by shooting that killed one teen and injured two others.
DES MOINES, Iowa – One teen was killed and two others were injured in a drive-by shooting outside East High School Monday afternoon.
Two female East High students, ages 16 and 18, remain hospitalized in serious and critical condition, respectively, reports ABC. The other victim, a 15-year-old boy who was not a student at the school, died from his injuries.
According to the Des Moines Police Department, detectives determined shots were fired by multiple shooters from multiple vehicles just before 3 p.m. DMPS spokesperson Sgt. Paul Parizek said the male was the only intended target. Police recovered six firearms after executing five residential search warrants and six vehicle search warrants.
The suspects, who range in age from 14 to 17, have been charged with first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder.
“Unfortunately, what happened here today is just another pointless tragedy in our community, people using firearms to settle their differences,” Des Moines Police Chief Dana Wingert said Monday.
The high school immediately went into lockdown but students were dismissed on time after police gave an all-clear.
East High student Kaylie Shannon told KCCI she was outside of the school when she heard the gunfire.
“I was just sitting in my friend’s car and then all of the sudden I heard 11 gunshots and some boys screaming,” she said.
Classes at East High were canceled Tuesday. The Des Moines Public Schools grief team will be available for students and staff through the remainder of the week and school counselors will also be available at other schools for students who may need support.
According to KCCI, this is the first year since 1999 that DMPS has not had police officers in its buildings. Last year, the school board voted to end the school resource officer (SRO) program, indicating it disproportionately affected students of color.
Des Moines police continue to investigate the shooting, along with the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the Iowa State Patrol, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, and the Des Moines Public Schools Department of Public Safety.
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