Guns Drawn, Cops Went To Wrong Richfield School After Shooting

RICHFIELD, MN — Richfield police and other first responders initially showed up to Richfield Middle School instead of South Education Center following the fatal shooting of a student, the middle school's principal, Erica Barlow, said in a statement to community members.

"The officers had weapons drawn and in bullet-proof vests," Barlow said. "It is unlikely that many students witnessed the event, as they were in class at the time. However, it is important that you are aware of the incident in the event that your child hears about it, as some children may be deeply impacted by this type of news."

Police responded to Richfield Middle School after initial reports of the shooting, but they were 'quickly corrected' and sent to the South Education Center, Police Chief Jay Henthorne said.

The South Education Center is a school that serves students with "unique needs in a variety of programs." It serves students across the west Twin Cities metro, from pre-k through high school and is in a separate district from Richfield Middle.

The victim of the shooting was identified to The Minneapolis Star Tribune as 15-year-old Jahmari Rice. The other victim — who is also a student — survived the shooting but is in critical condition at the Hennepin County Medical Center.

The shooting occurred just after 12 p.m. Tuesday on a sidewalk outside the front entrance of the South Education Center, located on Penn Avenue South.

Shooting At Richfield School ‘Not Random’; Police ID Suspects

A manhunt was immediately launched for a suspect in the shooting, who police said fled the scene. Two people were arrested Tuesday night after officers searched two locations in Minneapolis, the Richfield Police Department said. The department said officers recovered a handgun.

Police on Wednesday identified the suspects as Fernando Valdez-Alvarez, 18, and Alfredo Rosario Solis, 19, who are both from Minneapolis. Both are enrolled at the South Education Center, police said.