TRUE-LIFE
YOU’RE THE JUDGE!
A troubled teen gunned down his classmates
When Will Holmes founded Starts Right Here, his nonprofit organisation, he had one goal.
Help at-risk young people in the city of Des Moines, Iowa.
Growing up in Chicago, he’d had a rough childhood.
Joined a gang aged 13, looking for the protection and love he didn’t get at home. Yet gang life only led to him witnessing a friend’s murder at 15. Then he was almost beaten to death himself.
After surviving, Will – also known by his hip-hop name Will Keeps – moved to Des Moines in his 20s to start a new life.
Sudden violence
He launched Starts Right Here, to mentor troubled kids and provide them with a safe place so they didn’t have to resort to a gang.
It’s not about what you’ve been through. It’s how you get through, was its motto. It was a tough job. Gang culture was prevalent in the city.
And on 23 January 2023, violence found its way into the Starts Right Here education centre.
Students, including Preston Walls, 19, Rashad Carr, 16, and Gionni Dameron, 18, all attended classes as usual.
Preston was only one test away from graduating from the programme.
But then a security video captured him leaving the room.
Coming back with his hand inside his jacket.
Will sensed something was wrong.
The footage showed him approaching Preston.
Trying to escort him from the area.
But the teenager pulled out a handgun.
He broke away from Will, and opened fire on Rashad and Gionni. Killing them both. They died of multiple gunshot wounds.
Will was also shot in the thigh and hand.
Preston then fled the scene, jumping in a waiting car driven by his pal Bravon Tukes, 19, who drove off.
Will was distraught. Two of his students were dead.
He needed surgery, lost a finger and had to use a walker due to his injuries.
And, sadly, despite his hard work, gang culture was to blame.
Preston and Bravon were members of Strap Gang, OTR – Only the Real.
Rashad and Gionni were part of rivals OMB or Only My Brothers.
A feud had been building between the gangs since December, when Bravon’s 16-year-old half-brother had died in a police shooting.
OMB had produced a ‘diss track’ – a song mocking his brother’s death.
And they’d done it using equipment at the Starts Right Here centre.
Insults were traded and threats were made as things escalated, leading to the tragic shooting.
Vengeful threats
Preston Walls and Bravon Tukes were charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder, wilful injury
