Missouri Homeowner Charged in Shooting of Teen Who Rang Wrong Doorbell
Ralph Yarl, 16, was critically wounded in the shooting. Photo: Ben Crump Law/Associated Press By Joseph De Avila and Talal Ansari April 17, 2023 6:59 pm ET A homeowner in Kansas City, Mo., has been charged for shooting a Black teenager who mistakenly rang his doorbell, prosecutors said. Ralph Yarl was picking up his brothers on Thursday night when he accidentally rang the doorbell of the wrong house, according to his family’s lawyers. They said the homeowner, who is white, shot Ralph in the head and in the arm. Ralph was unarmed, the lawyers said. The 16-year-old was critically wounded and hospitalized. Clay County Prosecutor Zachary Thompson said Monday his office charged the homeowner,
Ralph Yarl, 16, was critically wounded in the shooting.
Photo: Ben Crump Law/Associated Press
A homeowner in Kansas City, Mo., has been charged for shooting a Black teenager who mistakenly rang his doorbell, prosecutors said.
Ralph Yarl was picking up his brothers on Thursday night when he accidentally rang the doorbell of the wrong house, according to his family’s lawyers. They said the homeowner, who is white, shot Ralph in the head and in the arm. Ralph was unarmed, the lawyers said. The 16-year-old was critically wounded and hospitalized.
Clay County Prosecutor Zachary Thompson said Monday his office charged the homeowner, Andrew Lester, with two felony counts in the shooting: assault in the first degree and armed criminal action.
“I can assure you that the criminal justice system is working and will continue to work,” Mr. Thompson said. “As with any serious case, we approached this one in an objective, impartial manner. We look forward to obtaining a just result.”
An arrest warrant has been issued for Mr. Lester, Mr. Thompson said, but he wasn’t in custody.
Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves said on Sunday officers had taken the homeowner into custody after the shooting but later released him after consulting with the Clay County prosecuting attorney’s office. Chief Graves said investigators still needed to get a statement from the victim and collect additional forensic evidence before making a criminal referral to prosecutors.
Chief Graves said Sunday investigators were looking into whether the attack was racially motivated or whether the state’s “stand your ground” law applied.
More than 200 people marched in support of Ralph on Sunday, demanding officials arrest and charge the suspect. Faith Spoonmore, an aunt of Ralph, has raised $1.79 million as of Monday afternoon for medical bills and therapy for her nephew on GoFundMe.
“Even though he is doing well physically, he has a long road ahead mentally and emotionally,” Ms. Spoonmore said. “The trauma that he has to endure and survive is unimaginable.”
Write to Joseph De Avila at [email protected] and Talal Ansari at [email protected]
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