Man sentenced to 23 years for fatal shooting outside Richfield school

Krystal Frasier KSTP

Fernando Valdez-Alvarez — who was convicted of murder for the death of Jahmari Rice — sits in court during his sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, in Hennepin County District Court. (KSTP via pool)

One of the two men who were charged and convicted for their roles in a deadly shooting outside of a Richfield school last year was sentenced Wednesday.

A judge ordered 19-year-old Fernando Valdez-Alvarez to spend more than 23 years (283 months) behind bars for the shooting that killed 15-year-old Jahmari Rice outside the South Education Center just over a year ago. Two others, a 17- and a 19-year-old, survived the shooting.

As previously reported by 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS, Valdez-Alvarez pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree murder and first-degree assault on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. That plea was entered just two weeks before a jury trial was scheduled to begin.

Alfredo Rosario Solis, the other man who was charged and convicted for the shooting, was sentenced in January to serve 36 months in prison for a second-degree assault. Solis was initially charged with two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of attempted second-degree murder and one count of first-degree assault but was acquitted of those charges.

Valdez-Alvarez received credit for 394 days he’s already served.

“In a one week period last February two families each faced their worst nightmare, the tragic loss of their 15-year-old sons to senseless gun violence. These two kids had full lives ahead of them but that promise was destroyed in brief flashes of anger,” Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said in a statement Wednesday. “I’m hopeful today’s sentencing brings some measure of closure for Jahmari Rice’s family. Our community must do more to stop this violence. We will continue to do our part by focusing resources on aggressive prosecution of these cases.”