DES MOINES, Iowa — On this day one year ago, two teens were killed and Starts Right Here founder Will Keeps was injured during a shooting at the at-risk youth services center.
A jury convicted Preston Walls of second-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter in the killings of 18-year-old Gionni Dameron and 16-year-old Rashad Carr.
Walls was sentenced last week to up to 65 years in prison.
A second suspect, Bravon Tukes, was acquitted at trial on all charges.
While the criminal trials are done, there are ongoing civil lawsuits against Keeps and Starts Right Here.
Last spring, the families of the two students killed accused Keeps of failing to protect the two teenagers from harm and knowing that another student meant to harm Carr and Dameron. Court documents from the initial filing show the families believe he failed to operate Starts Right Here in a reasonably safe manner and failed to implement and carry out appropriate security measures.
The families claim they have incurred physical and emotional damages following their sons' deaths because of Keeps' negligence.
The most recent filings in the civil case from the defense asked the state to make the juvenile criminal records of Gianni Dameron and Rashad Carr available.
"Because criminal history is relevant to the damages claimed by the plaintiff ... defendants have the right to seek such information," the defense states.
The next hearing in the civil case is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 8.
While the civil case continues, Starts Right Here is planning to expand. Keeps confirmed to Local 5 that they are buying the former Elim Christian Fellowship building in Des Moines’ East Village.
SRH's current building will still be in use, with the expansion adding to their services. The youth advocacy program is designed to help at-risk youth in Des Moines Public Schools.
All the students involved in the shooting were participants in the Starts Right Here program.