Des Moines police on Tuesday released new details in a deadly drive-by shooting outside of East High School that took the life of a 15-year-old boy.
According to police, six teens have been charged with first-degree murder after detectives determined that shots were fired by multiple shooters from multiple vehicles.
Police executed five search warrants in Des Moines since the shooting. Police said they have recovered six firearms during the investigation.
The following people have been charged with first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder in the shooting: 17-year-old Octavio Lopez, 14-year-old Nyang Chamdual, 16-year-old Manuel Buezo, 16-year-old Romero Perdomo, 15-year-old Alex Perdomo and 17-year-old Henry Valladares-Amaya.
All of the teens are Des Moines residents.
Additionally, police said the 16-year-old female victim remains in serious condition and the 18-year-old female victim remains hospitalized in critical condition.
Police continue to investigate the shooting. Check the KCCI Breaking News and Weather App for updates on this developing story.
DMPS update:
Des Moines Public School officials released the following information on the suspects charged in the deadly shooting:
“Nyang Chamdual is enrolled in 9thgrade at Hoover High School and Manuel Buezo is enrolled in 11th grade at Hoover High School. Romeo Perdomo attended North High School and Henry Valladares-Amaya attended Hoover High School; neither are currently enrolled at DMPS. Octavio Lopez is not enrolled at DMPS. Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the school district does not have permission to release information on the sixth individual.”
Previously:
Des Moines police said one person has died and two others hospitalized in a shooting outside of East High School on Monday afternoon that injured three people.
Police at the scene said there are “multiple shooting victims outside of the school.”
Three people, who appear to be teens, were hospitalized in critical condition, according to police. Police later said one victim was dead.
Des Moines fire officials told KCCI the victim who died was a 15-year-old boy and the two injured were females, ages 16 and 18. Police said the 15-year-old who died was not an East High student, but the two females were.
The shooting happened outside of the school but on school grounds just before 3 p.m. Police said the gunfire appears to have come from a passing vehicle.
The school was locked down Monday afternoon and residents were asked to stay clear. Streets around the school were shut down as well.
No other injuries have been reported and police said they do not believe there is a continued threat to the public.
Sgt. Paul Parizek said suspects have been detained in the case but no charges have been filed.
“We’ve got some potential suspects detained. That will be a piece that moves through the night that we’re going to have to be working on,” Parizek said. “The kids in that school are our community’s most precious cargo. So, the medics and the firefighters did an outstanding job getting up here. You know, it’s sad. We do train for this. We have to be prepared for it. And this is why.”
East High student Kaylie Shannon told KCCI she was outside of the school when she heard gunfire.
“I was just sitting in my friend’s car and then all of the sudden I heard 11 gunshots and some boys screaming,” Shannon said.
Des Moines police continue to investigate.
DMPS responds:
Des Moines Public Schools said no classes will be held at East High School Tuesday. The district is postponing the ACT for East High juniors until March 29. Parent-teacher conferences are also postponed.
The DMPS grief team will be available at East High for students and staff through the remainder of the week. School counselors will be available at other schools for students who need additional support.
DMPS officers no longer in schools:
KCCI has been covering concerns over violence in Des Moines schools for much of this school year. This is the first school year since 1999 that the district has been without Des Moines police officers in schools.
Last year, the school board voted to end the school resource officer program. Members said the program disproportionately affected students of color.
Des Moines police said school resource officers are intended to build positive relationships with students.
Check the KCCI Breaking News and Weather App for updates on this developing story.
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