RICHFIELD, Minn. — The Hennepin County Attorney's Office says one of two teens who were arrested in connection with a shooting that occurred during a high school football game in Richfield Friday night has been released, while the other has been charged in juvenile court and remains in custody.
The attorney's office told KARE 11 on Tuesday that the suspect was released pending further investigation. The office says it received an "extension to hold" for the other teen suspected in the shooting for another 24 hours.
On Saturday, both juvenile suspects were arrested and transported to the Hennepin County Juvenile Detention Center.
According to Richfield Police, a 16-year-old male suspected of instigating a fight outside the game who is a former Richfield High School student, was found and arrested in Edina on Saturday, Sept. 24. The 16-year-old has been released.
A 15-year-old, who police said is the suspected shooter and a Richfield High School student, was found by police late Saturday night and arrested. The 15-year old was charged in juvenile court, according to authorities. However, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman says no further details can be released "due to the age of the juvenile."
The altercation took place outside Spartan Stadium during Richfield High School's Homecoming game on Friday, Sept. 23, prompting the game to be canceled and the stadium to be evacuated. Later, the principal made a formal announcement and canceled the school's homecoming dance, citing safety reasons.
Two men — a 21-year-old and an 18-year-old — were transported to the hospital with gunshot-related wounds following the shooting. Police said in an updated statement Sunday morning that both individuals are in "good condition" and are now home recovering.
Richfield Mayor Maria Regan Gonzalez released a statement Tuesday, thanking the community for an "outpouring of love and support."
"Over the past few days our community has been experiencing a range of emotions, from heartbreak and overwhelm to fear and confusion. But into that fear and confusion we have also received an outpouring of love and support for our families and students. I want to offer my sincerest thanks to the staff at Richfield Public Schools and the Richfield Police Department for their tireless efforts over the past five days. In addition, a huge amount of gratitude goes out to all of the organizations, community members and young people who have shown up to express their love for this community.
We have already begun conversations about how we, as a community, can come together to show our pride and support for the families and young people of Richfield. There is movement underway, both in the short-term and long-term, to work together to find tangible ways to ensure that our families and students feel safe and supported in their schools and in their city.”
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