Des Moines man will serve 55 years for 2012 Kirkwood Court apartments shooting

Shannon Gaskins, 22, said in a victim's impact statement Tuesday the crime on April 20, 2012 that changed her life forever should never have happened.

"I won't be able to walk again, can't drive or dress myself," Gaskins said from her wheelchair. "I have to suffer with pain 24 hours a day and take six different medications. I want the maximum sentence for him."

Gaskins was shot in April 2012 during a robbery at her Kirkwood Court apartment by Teran Huff, 26, of Des Moines. Her spinal cord was severed from her navel down and she is paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair. Doctors say she will never walk again.

Huff said before being sentenced to 55 years in prison that he hoped one day Gaskins could forgive him. He thinks about it every day.

"There's not enough words or apology to make her walk again," Huff said tearing up as he looked back at Gaskins. "I apologize sincerely. I hope to be a better man someday."

Huff pleaded guilty to first-degree robbery, two counts of willful injury causing serious injury, conspiracy to commit a forcible felony, going armed with intent and possession of a firearm as a felon. He was sentenced to consecutively terms and will serve up to 55 years. He must serve 70 percent of the 25 years on the robbery charge before being eligible for parole.

Huff also was originally charged with two counts of attempted murder but those charges were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.

Huff, along with two others charged in the crime, went to the apartment of Gaskins and Alexander White, 23, that night to robbed them and Huff shot both Gaskins and White during the incident.

Assistant Linn County Attorney Jason Burns asked for consecutive sentences because this incident involved multiple crimes and "went beyond a normal robbery." He also pointed out Huff's criminal history which started as theft as a juvenile and as an adult includes drugs charges, assault causing bodily injury and escape while on probation as an adult.

"He has shown he is a real danger to the community," Burns said. "He didn't know the victims. He caused great harm. Alexander White was shot several times and still suffers nerve damage. Shannon Gaskins suffered permanent damage and doctors say she will never walk again."

White, who is serving time in another unrelated case, was brought into the hearing to make a victim's impact statement but decided against it before the hearing started.

Raymond Sellers, 24, of Chicago, and Shantres Johnson, 21, of Cedar Rapids, are also charged in this case with first-degree robbery, two counts of attempted murder, two counts of willful injury causing serious injury, conspiracy to commit a forcible felony and going armed with intent. Sellers also is charged with possession of a firearm as a felon.

Johnson's trial is set Nov. 12, and Seller's trial is Oct. 21.