Iowa School Shooting: 6 Teens Charged in 15-Year-Old Boy's Death; Pres. Joe Biden Says 'Enough' on Gun Violence
At least six teenagers were charged with murder in connection to the Iowa school shooting on Monday that killed a 15-year-old boy and wounded two other teens.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the Des Moines Police Department said the six suspects, who have not been named, were arrested and were already in police custody.
Police noted that each suspect was charged with one count of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder.
The drive-by shooting reportedly occurred outside East High School in Des Moines, Iowa at around 2:48 p.m. local time, CBS News reported.
According to ABC News, Des Moines police said most of the suspects were arrested within an hour of the shooting, and they were all in custody after several hours.
The police department attributed the arrest to its officers' "rapid response." It was still unclear if the six teenagers would be prosecuted as adults.
Police said investigators executed multiple residential and vehicle search warrants overnight and recovered various firearms they believed were used in the shooting.
READ NEXT: Liga MX Brawl: 14 Under Custody in Connection to Atlas-Queretaro Brawl; Fans Barred From Matches
Teen Victims of the Iowa School Shooting
On Tuesday afternoon, police have identified the teen, who was fatally shot, as Jose David Lopez of Des Moines. Authorities said the 15-year-old boy was believed to have been the intended target.
Authorities did not name the two other victims. However, they were described as a 16-year-old female and an 18-year-old female. Police said the two teenage girls, with life-threatening injuries, remained in a hospital as of Tuesday.
Authorities noted that the two girls were both students at the school, while the slain boy was not. Police said they found the three victims near a parking lot after they responded to reports of a shooting.
Authorities noted that gunshots were fired by "multiple shooters, from multiple vehicles." The motive for the shooting was still unclear as of Tuesday.
"Unfortunately, what happened here... is just another pointless tragedy in our community, people using firearms to settle their differences," Des Moines Police Chief Dana Wingert said Monday.
Reports said the East High School was placed on lockdown after the shooting, and classes were canceled on Tuesday and may continue throughout the week.
According to ABC affiliate station WOI, two of the suspects were enrolled at another high school in Des Moines.
President Joe Biden Says 'Enough' After Iowa School Shooting
Following the arrest of the six suspects in the Iowa school shooting, President Joe Biden called for more efforts to reduce gun violence and protect young people better, WHO13 reported.
"Enough. Our young people should be safe in and around school, in their neighborhoods, and in their homes. Every American should be able to visit a house of worship, a grocery store, a night club, or any other place without fear of being gunned down. That too many cannot is a stain on our national character and an urgent call to action," Joe Biden said in a statement on Tuesday.
The president noted that he was grateful to Des Moines law enforcement and first responders for their quick actions. However, Biden said, "these swift arrests cannot obscure the reality that too many families have had to bury a piece of their soul after yet another tragic shooting."
Joe Biden then urged Congress to do its job and pass proven measures to reduce gun violence. He noted that these "include universal background checks, a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, and a repeal of the liability shield protecting gun manufacturers who knowingly put weapons of war on our streets."
"These laws don't infringe on the Second Amendment, but they will save lives," the president said.
READ MORE: Georgia Boy, 4, Dead After He Accidentally Shot Himself With a Gun Left in His Mom's Car
This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Joshua Summers
WATCH: 6 Teens Arrested in Iowa School Shooting That Killed 1 - From WPRI
Subscribe to Latin Post!
Sign up for our free newsletter for the Latest coverage!