Richfield, MN

February 4, 2022 Update: This afternoon, charges were filed by the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office against Fernando Valdez-Alvarez and Alfredo Rosario Solis. Both individuals were charged with three counts of second-degree murder related to the shooting that took place at the South Education Center on February 1.

The charging documents for Valdez-Alvarez and Rosario Solis are available online.

February 2, 2022 Update: The Richfield Police Department (RPD), in coordination with its law enforcement partners, has made steady and substantial progress in the investigation into the school shooting that took place yesterday, February 1, at the South Education Center.

The altercation that led to the shooting was between five South Education Center students who had a previous relationship. The shooting was not random.

Following the shooting, two suspects fled the scene.

The three victims involved in the incident were 19, 17 and 15 years old. The 15-year-old victim died due to the injuries inflicted during the shooting and the 17-year-old was transported to the Hennepin County Medical Center for treatment and is in critical condition. The other victim, the 19-year-old, did not receive substantial bodily injuries stemming from the altercation.  

The RPD and its law enforcement partners executed simultaneous search warrants in Minneapolis on Tuesday evening. Two suspects, Fernando Valdez-Alvarez and Alfredo Rosario Solis were arrested just after 6 p.m.

Five additional search warrants were also performed throughout the evening. During the search warrants, the getaway vehicle was located, as well as two handguns.

Both Fernando Valdez-Alvarez and Alfredo Rosario Solis are being held at the Hennepin County Jail. The case against the two suspects will be presented to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office for review and charging in the near future.

The RPD is confident this was an isolated incident. No lingering threat exists to the Richfield community.

“I want to convey my sincere appreciation to the students, staff, community members, and our law enforcement partners that came together to bring a swift resolution to a horrific incident,” said Police chief Jay Henthorne. “I can’t speak highly enough of the numerous federal, state, county and local emergency response personnel that came to assist the City of Richfield. It was a humbling reminder of the remarkable dedication and bravery that our first responders provide to our communities every day, especially in the times of greatest need.”

February 1, 2022 Update: Statement from the Richfield City Council - “Like everyone in Richfield and the region, we are still processing the tragic school shooting that took place just after noon today at the South Education Center. These headlines appear far too often, and our hearts sink that such a tragedy has landed in our community. We join our partners at Intermediate School District 287, South Education Center, all Richfield families and students who are grieving.

We were heartbroken to learn that one of the students was killed in the incident, and another is in critical condition. We offer our condolences to the family of the victim who was killed and our compassion to the victim in critical condition and to those directly impacted by the shooting.  We thank the brave school staff, teachers, police officers, firefighters and all cooperating jurisdictions for their assistance in responding to this incident.

Richfield has long been a close-knit, safe and welcoming community. Everyone in our community deserves to feel safe in their schools and in their community, and today this safety was threatened. Please check in on your neighbors, hug your children and be there for your friends and family.

As more information develops on the situation, we will be updating the community.”