Punch Escalated To Fatal Shooting At Richfield School: Charges

RICHFIELD, MN — Two men were charged with murder in the Richfield school shooting that left one student dead and another critically injured. A third victim was left with minor injuries from the fight did not suffer gunshot wounds, authorities said.

The shots were fired outside South Education Center on Tuesday. Jahmari Rice, 15, was killed.

Alfredo R. Solis, 19, and Fernando Valdez-Alvarez, 18, each face three counts of second-degree murder, with intent. Bail was set at $1 million for both of them.

Their first court appearance is set for 2:30 p.m. Friday.

"Our community is dealing with a tremendous tragedy this week. The senseless shooting outside a school in Richfield that took the life of 15-year-old Jahmari Rice, and critically wounded another teenage victim, is extremely unsettling. Thankfully, the third male teenager who was shot at did not get hurt," Freeman said in news release.

"While we continue to heal from past trauma, we also grieve the untimely loss of Mr. Rice. In these difficult times, we must band together as a community, and do what we can to ensure justice is met. Our office will do our part in prosecuting these defendants."

A fight between the three victims and Solis and Valdez-Alvarez broke out in the parking lot around 12 p.m. Tuesday, according to authorities.

"Victim 2" punched Solis once before Valdez-Alvarez started shooting at all three victims, the criminal complaint states. The three victims fled towards the school building, police said.

Meanwhile, Solis and Valdez-Alvarez fled to their cars and left, according to authorities.

A witness told police she heard three gunshots and — about 20 seconds later — heard a vehicle pull off and then two more shots.

At the scene, police found a school nurse with Rice, who was unresponsive and not breathing. Officers began CPR with the assistance of the school nurse and provided him with oxygen at the scene.

Paramedics arrived and took Rice to the Hennepin County Medical Center, where he died.

A second victim was found lying on the floor in the front vestibule of the building, being held by a staff member. Officers provided first aid and placed chest seals on both wounds as his breathing declined.

He was transported to HCMC and remains in critical condition.

The third victim was treated and released at the scene.

Several search warrants were executed Tuesday night, and police arrested Solis and Valdez-Alvarez.

According to the criminal complaint, police found a Nintendo Switch case with two magazines for a handgun in Solis' home, as well as a Glock 45 handgun.

Also read: Father Of Student Killed In Richfield Shooting Remains Jailed

This is a breaking news story. Patch will update this article as more information becomes available.