Des Moines man formally charged in Kirkwood Court shootings

A Des Moines man was charged Tuesday with attempted murder, robbery and other charges in a shooting that occurred last Friday at Kirkwood Court Apartments.

Teran Huff, 25, who cried as he appeared by video from the Linn County jail Tuesday, was charged with first-degree robbery, two counts of attempted murder and two counts of willful injury causing serious injury.

Huff is accused of shooting two people, Shannon Gaskins, 21, and Alexander White, 22, both of Cedar Rapids, at 311 Kirkwood Court SW, #1, during a robbery last Friday, according to a criminal complaint. Huff admitted to displaying a firearm with the intent to rob the alleged victims and to kill them, according to the complaint.

Both Gaskins and White were reported in critical condition but were expected to live, according to police.

The third man shot during the incident, Raymond Sellers, 24, of Chicago, wasn't named in the complaint as an alleged victim, but police said he was shot in the same incident. Sellers also was reported in critical condition, police said Monday.

Assistant Linn County Attorney Jason Burns said police are still investigating Sellers' involvement in the incident.

Sixth Judicial District Associate Judge Jane Spande set Huff's bond at $25,000 on each charge, for a total $125,000 cash-only bond. Spande also gave Huff no-contact orders for Gaskins and White.

Burns recommended the bond based on Huff's previous criminal history. Huff has been convicted for a controlled substance violation and a possession charge out of Polk County. He also has two prior escape convictions in Polk, Burns said.

Huff has been living in a local motel in Cedar Rapids for the last two weeks and previously lived with his girlfriend's mother for two to three weeks, according to information given to the judge during the initial appearance. Before coming to Cedar Rapids, he lived for six months in Polk County.

Huff was arrested Monday after he voluntarily came to the department to speak with investigators, according to police.

Police haven't given many details of the shooting or circumstances but said Monday they are still trying to determine the relationship between Huff and the alleged victims.

Cedar Rapids Police Sgt. Cristy Hamblin said police got a report Monday that someone kicked in the door of the apartment belonging to Gaskins, where the shootings happened. Police didn't know if anything was taken because the victim is still in the hospital but they think there may be connection between the break in and the shooting.

The investigation continues.