In my previous post, I mentioned that two school shootings happened on the same day. The first one I discussed was the shooting that left two campus officers dead at Bridgewater College in Bridgewater, Virginia. Roughly around the same time, two students were shot at South Education Center in Richfield, Minnesota. One student was seriously wounded, while another student died, adding yet another fatality to the long list of victims from school shootings during the bloody 2021-2022 school year. And we still have several moths to go.
The deceased victim has been identified as 15-year-old Jahmari Rice. The wounded victim is 17-year-old Elijah Tellez, who was in critical condition but has been upgraded to serious condition.
In what has become a deadly theme this year, the shooting is said to have stemmed from a dispute. Two suspects were arrested after having fled the scene after the shooting. There were no other active threats to the school. The arrests were made 6 hours after the noon shooting when police executed simultaneous search warrants at two different Minneapolis homes. Two guns were recovered at separate locations, but police have not said if either of the guns were used in the shooting. The suspects have been identified as 18-year-old Fernando Valdez-Alvarez and 19-year-old Alfredo Rosario Solis. They were also said to be students who attended the school. Valdez-Alvarez is believed to have pulled the trigger after the 17-year-old punched Solis. Both suspects have been charged with one count of second-degree murder and charges of attempted second-degree murder.
The school had previously gone into lockdown back in September. At that time, a student was found to have a handgun on campus.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz gave a statement on the day of the shooting…
“We need more than words, though — we need action. We need action to get guns off the streets and prevent violent crime in the first place. I remain committed to working with officials at all levels of government to seek needed change.”
I don’t know how sincere Walz’s words are, since he’s a rare Democrat who’s been endorsed by the NRA twice. It seems empty promises can come from both sides of the aisle. Barely anyone in politics has the balls to do what is really necessary to put a stop to school shootings. Yes, I am talking about repealing the 2nd Amendment.
At least Richfield Mayor Maria Regan Gonzalez had some more poignant words to say…
“Everybody says this, but you have that feeling, you see the news and you don’t think this is going to happen in your community and unfortunately it does,” said Gonzalez. “None of our communities are safe from what happened yesterday here in Richfield.
It’s true. As long as gun rights are prioritized in this country over the lives of our school children, we’ll continue to see senseless violence and death in our schools.
(Sources)
- Police: 2 suspects in custody after 2 students shot, 1 killed outside Richfield school
- 2 suspects arrested following Minnesota school shooting that left 1 student dead, another wounded
- 1 Student Dead, Another Wounded After Shooting Outside Richfield School; 2 In Custody
- ‘Altercation’ among students sparked shooting that left 1 dead, 1 injured at Minnesota school
- Suspected gunmen in Richfield school shooting were also students, chief says
- 2 teens charged in fatal Minnesota school shooting
- Student seriously wounded during deadly Richfield school shooting is ID’d
Real Crime with Trench Reynolds 