Candlelight vigil for two teens killed in Des Moines inspires community to make change
More than 100 people came together Friday night to remember Gionni Dameron and Rashad Carr, the two teens tragically shot and killed Monday in Des Moines.
More than 100 people came together Friday night to remember Gionni Dameron and Rashad Carr, the two teens tragically shot and killed Monday in Des Moines.
More than 100 people came together Friday night to remember Gionni Dameron and Rashad Carr, the two teens tragically shot and killed Monday in Des Moines.
In front of a crowd of more than one hundred people Friday night, the families of 16-year-old Rashad Carr and 18-year-old Gionni Dameron stood as a candlelight vigil carried on.
Both Carr and Dameron were killed on Monday while at the Starts Right Here building. Police have arrested 18-year-old Preston Walls and 19-year-old Bravon Michael Tukes in connection with the shooting.
On Friday, the focus was on Carr and Dameron.
Family, friends, activists, and people who just wanted to be there for the families stood in front of Starts Right Here Friday night. In front of them stood a table, filled with candles and two portraits of the teens leaning against the front.
"Do you see the pictures? Do you see the pictures?" Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad shouted out to the crowd. "That's why we're here. We can't let this continue to happen."
People came out to mourn together, but to also share their concerns for the violence going on.
"No violence, y'all. No more violence," said Heather Parrish, Gionni's grandmother. "Do something different out here. Let my grandson's name and Rashad's name be something that we glorify."
People stood with arms wrapped around each other to offer comfort. Some even held candles in their hands in honor of the two teens whose lives were taken far too soon.
It's for that reason, family and friends who spoke want the community to focus on taking care of each other and preventing another young life from being taken due to gun violence.
"Learn to live for one another, not die for one another," said Abdul-Samad.
KCCI's Kayla James was at the vigil, that can be seen in the video above.