Fundraiser To Help Teen Who Survived Shooting At Richfield School

RICHFIELD, MN — A GoFundMe campaign is aiming to help cover medical expenses for the family of a teen who was shot and critically injured Feb. 1 outside his school in Richfield.

Seventeen-year-old Elijah Tellez was identified as the student who survived the shooting by TreeHouse, a nonprofit youth organization working to end teen homelessness in the Twin Cities.

James Austin, who mentored Tellez at Bloomington TreeHouse, launched the fundraiser last week with a goal of raising $100,000 to help the student’s family “alleviate some of the financial pressure of the now surmounting medical bills.”

“Lives were forever impacted as gunshots rained out in front of the South Education Center in Richfield” on the afternoon of Feb. 1, Austin wrote last week in the fundraiser’s description. “One victim in critical condition was rushed to the hospital clinging to life. A mother now spends everyday next to her teen, praying as she waits for good news from the physicians and nurses.”

The GoFundMe has brought in more than $5,100 from 92 donors, as of 10:30 a.m. Thursday.

All money raised through the GoFundMe will go directly to Tellez's family for medical expenses, recovery and meals, Austin wrote.

Tellez was shot and critically injured Feb. 1 outside the South Education Center in Richfield. Fifteen-year-old Jahmari Rice was killed in the shooting, while a third student at the school suffered minor injuries.

Alfredo R. Solis, 19, and Fernando Valdez-Alvarez, 18, are each facing three counts of second-degree murder in connection with the shooting.

Punch Escalated To Fatal Shooting At Richfield School: Charges

Police have said a fight broke out in the school’s parking lot around noon Feb. 1 between Solis, Valdez-Alvarez and the three victims. All five were all students at South Education Center, according to school officials and police.

Police allege Valdez-Alvarez started shooting after Solis was punched by one of the victims. The three victims then ran toward the school while Solis and Valdez-Alvarez ran to an SUV and fled the area, police allege.

A witness told police she heard three gunshots during the initial altercation, then heard a vehicle pull off about 20 seconds later before two more shots were fired.

MN, Richfield Leaders Mourn Student's Death In Shooting At School

Police helped a school nurse perform CPR on Rice, who was unresponsive and not breathing when officers reached the school. Rice was taken to the Hennepin County Medical Center, where he died.

Police found Tellez lying on the floor in front of the school’s vestibule, being held by a staff member, and provided first aid. He was taken to the Hennepin County Medical Center in critical condition. His condition has since been upgraded to serious, the Star Tribune reports.

A third student was treated for minor injuries Feb. 1 outside the school.

GoFundMe To Help Pay For Funeral Of Student Killed At Richfield School

Family, friends and community members held a funeral for Rice on Wednesday at Hope Presbyterian Church in Richfield. A GoFundMe has also been set up to pay Rice's family pay for his funeral.

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