15-year-old with dreams of playing college football killed, investigation ongoing

The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office has until Friday at noon to file any possible charges against two suspects in custody related to the deadly shooting of a 15-year-old boy outside a Richfield school, according to a spokesperson.

Jahmari Rice, 15, was shot outside of South Education Center in Richfield Tuesday and later died at the hospital.

A 17-year-old was also shot, according to authorities, and at last check, Richfield Police said that victim is in critical condition.

“He was trying so hard, he was trying so hard,” said Shyrese James, Jahmari’s mother.

Football, James said, was her son’s passion. He was hoping to play at college and recruiters had been following his work on the field at Richfield High School.

“All of these recruiters want my baby and now he’s not here because someone decided to take him from us,” James said.

Jahmari played last season on the Richfield Varsity Football Team and hoped to be recruited to play college football, according to his family.

“Jahmari was very passionate about football. He loved to play and he worked hard — he wanted to be the best player he could be,” said Richfield’s Varsity Football Coach Kris Pulford. “He will be missed by his friends and teammates.”

Jahamari’s family said he recently moved to a different school in hopes of strengthening his academic chances for college.

“This here wasn’t right, he had a life, he was a star, my baby shined on the field, played football like none other,” said Marsha Mayes, the victim’s aunt. “Jahmari was somebody.”

“The trauma they experienced will be with them the rest of their lives. It will take our school community time to grieve and time to heal,” said Intermediate School District #287 Superintendent Sandy Lewandowski.

“There’s nothing in the world that can describe the pain of losing a child,” James said.

South Education Center will reopen Friday and will offer counselors to those who need them.