Each suspect is being charged with attempted murder and first-degree murder in Monday’s shooting at East High School. The incident occurred near Des Moines’ downtown. It took place about half a mile (0.8 km) from the Capitol. Police claim that gunshots were fired from the school by multiple shooters using multiple vehicles.
The suspects were Octavio Lopez (17), Henry Valladares Amaya (17), Manuel Buezo (16), Romero Perdomo (16), Alex Perdomo (15) and Nyang Chamdual (14) All of them are Des Moines residents, and the school district did not identify any East-attending students.
Jose David Lopez of Des Moines was the victim, according to police.
Police said Lopez was not a student at East and was the intended target for the drive-by shooting. Police said that the other two victims were 16-year-old and 18-year old females who attend East. They were part of a group that was standing alongside Lopez when they were accidentally shot. The names of the survivors were not released by police until Tuesday afternoon.
According to police, the 16-year old girl was still in serious condition Tuesday while the 18 year-old was in critical condition.
Police said that although the incident took place outside of a school it could have taken place in any of our neighbourhoods. “The suspects were at school when they found their target.”
Police stated that search warrants were executed at six Des Moines vehicles and five homes in Des Moines within hours of the shooting. Police said that six guns were seized by investigators during the searches.
The shooting was captured by a neighborhood camera, according to court documents. The footage showed five teenagers gathered at a curb, as three cars passed them. They then returned to the scene with several shots from people inside.
Surveillance footage also showed vehicles that matched the description of the shooting site leaving one site and returning shortly after the shooting. According to court documents, the footage also showed people who took part in shooting.
Investigators found 20 shell casings left behind at the shooting scene and another 15 in vehicles. Police claimed that they were used in the shooting.
Calls began pouring in Monday at 2:50 p.m., just before classes were due to end for the day. Paul Parizek said.
According to the district, students were held inside while police investigate. After receiving an all clear from law enforcement, they were released at 3:30 p.m.
Principal Jill Versteeg called it “everyone’s worst nightmare” and encouraged parents to “hug and love your students.”
District officials had already suspended classes Tuesday in order to allow juniors to take the ACT college admissions exam. East High School cancelled the ACT exams Tuesday and parent-teacher conferences, and classes will be held elsewhere this week. District also made grief counselors available.
Tuesday night, President Joe Biden released a statement offering prayers for the families of students who were killed or injured in the shooting. He also thanked police officers and other first responders, but noted that “these quick arrests cannot hide the fact that too many families had to bury one more piece of their soul following yet another tragic shooting.”
Biden called on Congress to take more action to reduce gun violence.
Superintendent Thomas Ahart stated that school shootings are “too common” and suggested that there should be “real change in gun laws and access.”
He said that students and staff are forced to prepare for these types of incidents. The trauma from the repetitions of drills and incidents will stay with them for many years. It is unfortunate that firearms have become so easily accessible in our country and state.
The motive for the attack was not immediately clear.
After the shooting, Chief Dana Wingert of Des Moines Police went to the school and expressed frustration at the violence.
Wingert stated that “Unfortunately, what happened today was just another pointless tragic event in our community,” to TV station WOI-TV. “People use firearms to settle differences.”
According to police, it was the fourth murder in Des Moines in this year.
