DES MOINES, Iowa — A jury has found Bravon Tukes not guilty of all charges related to the Starts Right Here shooting in January 2023.
The verdict comes after jurors witnessed a week of testimony and cross-examination about the fatal shooting that killed Gionni Dameron and Rashad Carr and injured Starts Right Here founder Will Keeps.
Tukes was originally charged with the following:
- Murder in the First Degree (two counts)
- Attempt to Commit Murder (one count)
- Willful Injury Causing Serious Injury (one count)
- Criminal Gang Participation (one count)
Closing arguments were delivered Thursday, with the jurors taking time to deliberate Thursday afternoon and Friday morning.
The prosecution pointed to texts and social media posts made by Tukes that they believed pointed to premeditation.
However, the defense pushed back against this narrative, saying Tukes was unaware that the shooting would take place. The defense also emphasized that Tukes may have expressed anger online over the loss of his "brothers" but was ultimately focused on the future.
The verdict comes just a month after Preston Walls was convicted of second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter in connection to the shooting.
Walls testified at Tukes' trial, saying on the stand that the shooting was not planned and he never told Tukes about the shooting.
Following the verdict, Polk County Attorney Kimberley Graham said in a statement that she "respectfully disagrees" with the jury's assessment, writing in part, "We believe the evidence was clear that Mr. Tukes conspired with fellow gang member Preston Walls for at least a month before the killings. . . Regardless of the verdicts, this has been and will always be a horrific tragedy. We continue to be heartbroken for our community, and we continue to grieve with the families."
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