Des Moines man pleads not guilty in shootings

CEDAR RAPIDS - A Des Moines man accused of attempting to kill two people during a robbery at the Kirkwood Court Apartments last month made a written plea of not guilty Tuesday and had his trial scheduled for July 16 in Linn County District Court.

Teran Huff pleaded not guilty to two counts of attempted murder, 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.

Huff is accused of shooting residents Shannon Gaskins, 21, and Alexander White, 22, during an April 20 robbery at 311 Kirkwood Ct. SW, No. 1. Gaskins' sister, Amanda Brown, told The Gazette last week that a bullet severed her spinal cord and left her paralyzed from the waist down.

Also charged in the case are Raymond Sellers, 24, of Chicago, and Shantres Johnson, 21, of Cedar Rapids. Both are charged 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.

All three remain in the Linn County Jail under bonds.