Iowa teen on trial for killing of 2 fellow students says he feared for his life

Published August 31, 2023 10:17 am

By SCOTT McFETRIDGE
Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa teenager says he feared for his life when he fatally shot two fellow students at an alternative educational program for at-risk youth. The trial of 19-year-old Preston Walls began Thursday in Des Moines. His lawyer pushed back against a claim by prosecutors that the shooting was a premeditated attack on rival gang members. Walls is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, attempted murder and criminal gang participation. Another teen will be tried over the Jan. 23 shooting. It killed Gionni Dameron and Rashad Carr. The Starts Right Here alternative school’s founder was also seriously wounded.

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