More than 23-years in prison for the man who investigators say shot and killed a 15-year old boy outside of a Richfield school last year.
19-year old Fernando Valdez-Alvarez was sentenced in the February 2022 killing of Jahmari Rice outside the South Education Center.
Rice's father, Cortez Rice, read a victim impact statement in court.
“All I can do is think about my son,” said Rice. “I’m physically, emotionally and mentally scarred for life. Everything I do reminds me of Jahmari. Every time I hear about school violence, I cringe.”
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said the community has to do all it can to stop the violence taking place in schools. The shooting of Rice took place eight days before Minneapolis North High quarterback Deshaun Hill, also 15, was shot while walking to the bus stop from school. His killer Cody Fohrenkam was sentenced to 38 years in prison Tuesday.
"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," said Moriarty. "These two kids had full lives ahead of them but that promise was destroyed in brief flashes of anger. 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."
An accomplice in the case, Alfredo Solis, was acquitted of murder charges in December and was sentenced on assault charges to 3 years in prison.
Alvarez admitted to shooting and killing Rice and wounding another 17-year-old. He pleaded guilty to unintentional murder and assault prior to the sentencing.
