Ralph Yarl updates — Suspect Andrew Lester charged in shooting while Missouri teen makes major step in recovery
GUNMAN Andrew Lester has been charged after allegedly shooting a teenager twice.
Clay County Prosecutor Zachary Thompson announced Monday that 84-year-old suspect Lester has been charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action for allegedly shooting Ralph Yarl, 16, after the teen mistakenly went to the wrong house in Kansas City to pick up his younger twin brothers.
A warrant has been issued for Lester’s arrest and his bond has been set at $200,000.
According to Kansas City Police, officers responded to reports of a shooting on the evening of April 13 and arrived to find Ralph, who had been shot by the homeowner.
Ralph was released from the hospital on Monday, his father confirmed to local Fox affiliate .
Follow our Ralph Yarl live blog for more news and updates...
Biden spoke to Ralph Yarl
President Joe Biden spoke to teen Ralph Yarl and his family by phone on Monday evening, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
White House officials report that the president told the teen he hopes for a "swift recovery."
Andrew Lester pictured
Andrew Lester faces charges for shooting Ralph Yarl.
The 84-year-old has not yet been arrested.
Andrew Lester, 84, is seen in a mugshot from April 13. A warrant has been issued for his arrest on first-degree assault and armed criminal action chargesCredit: Kansas City Police Lester faces life in prison
Prosecuting Attorney Zachary Thompson said late Monday afternoon that a warrant had been issued for Andrew Lester's arrest, but Lester is not in custody.
Lester faces a maximum punishment of life in prison for the assault charge.
Thompson also said that Lester could face three to 15 years in prison for the armed criminal action.
No words spoken in confrontation
The probable cause statement says that no words between Andrew Lester and Ralph Yarl were exchanged before the shooting.
The statement says that the suspect told police that he lives alone and had just gone to bed, around 10pm, when he heard the doorbell.
The 84-year-old white man says that he picked up his gun and went to the door, where he saw Ralph pulling on his door handle.
Lester reported that he thought someone was breaking into his house.
Ralph is an honor roll student
Ralph Yarl's aunt described the teen as an honor roll student who plans to study chemical engineering at Texas A&M after he graduates from high school.
He's also a talented musician who plays in his school's jazz and marching bands.
Ralph is an honor roll student
Ralph Yarl's aunt described the teen as an honor roll student who plans to study chemical engineering at Texas A&M after he graduates from high school.
He's also a talented musician who plays in his school's jazz and marching bands.
Prosecutors approach
The Clay County prosecuting attorney spoke before the charges were announced, saying: "We understand how frustrating this has been, but we can assure the public that the system is working.
"As with any serious case submitted to our office, we will approach this case in an objective and impartial manner."
Teen went to three different houses for help
Ralph Yarl, 16, went to three different homes seeking help and was forced to lay on the ground with his hands on his head before a neighbor agreed to assist him, according to a GoFundMe for the boy.
In the description of a GoFundMe to raise money for Yarl, the teen's aunt Faith Spoonmore explained exactly what happened to him.
"He mistakenly went to the wrong house, one block away from the house where his siblings were," Spoonmore said.
The shooting happened on 115th Terrace, but Yarl's siblings were at a house on 115th Street. The family lives in the same neighborhood on Kansas City's North Side.
"The man in the home opened the door, looked my nephew in the eye, and shot him in the head," Spoonmore said.
"My nephew fell to the ground, and the man shot him again. Ralph was then able to get up and run to the neighbor's house, looking for help.
"Unfortunately, he had to run to three different homes before someone finally agreed to help him after he was told to lie on the ground with his hands up."
Andrew Lester charged in shooting
Clay County Prosecutor Zachary Thompson announced Monday that Andrew Lester has been charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action.
A warrant has been issued for Lester's arrest.
His bond has been set at $200,000.
Andrew Lester charged in shooting
Clay County Prosecutor Zachary Thompson announced Monday that Andrew Lester has been charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action.
A warrant has been issued for Lester's arrest.
His bond has been set at $200,000.
Ralph Yarl has been released from hospital
Ralph, 16, has been released from the hospital after he was shot in the head while trying to pick up his younger siblings.
The teen, who was hit twice in the head and the arm, was released from the hospital on Monday, local Fox affiliate reported.
Missouri Rep Emmanuel Cleaver calls for action
Democratic Representative Emmanuel Clever has taken to Twitter to call for justice.
"I’m thankful Ralph Yarl is alive and healing—but no child should be shot for ringing the wrong doorbell."
"As we pray for Mr. Yarl and his family during this time, it’s important that law enforcement conduct a swift, thorough, & comprehensive investigation."
The Representative issued a .
Justin Timberlake posts again
Justin Timberlake has posted on Twitter again, calling on his followers to contact Prosecutor Zachary Thompson and demand an arrest in the case.
"Share this story in support of and his family — and contact Prosecutor Zachary Thompson and demand an immediate arrest and bring the appropriate charges:"
He then .
Missouri state rep calls case 'horrific in every way'
state representative Eric Woods has taken to Twitter to call for a thorough investigation. :
"The shooting of Ralph Yarl was a senseless act of violence that needs to be investigated thoroughly and prosecuted accordingly."
"We all know that the outcome probably would have been different for a white teenager knocking on the wrong door."
"Horrific in every way."
Actress Kerry Washington demands action
Kerry Washington has also taken to Twitter to .
She is calling on people to call Prosecutor Zachary Thompson and demand action.
Justin Timberlake speaks out
The pop star has taken to Twitter to express his thoughts on what happened to Ralph Yarl. :
" accidentally rang the door of the wrong house while trying to pick up his siblings."
"For this, a man shot him in the head. Then shot him a 2nd time as he was on the ground."
"The man is free and the 16-year-old is fighting for his life in the hospital. This can’t be it."
'We are on our way'
Attorney Lee Merrit shared his thoughts on the case before it was officially announced that he and Ben Crump were retained by Ralph Yarl's family.
Ben Crump has won hundreds of cases
Ben Crump has won over 200 cases relating to police brutality, with his firm earning a third of each settlement.
He said he turns down a dozen requests for every case he takes, only choosing the ones that will “shock the conscience” of the American people.
“I’m not stunned that this is happening in 2020,” said Crump during an evening phone interview with the from his office.
“It takes extraordinary effort in America for black people to get simple justice."
More on Ben Crump
Benjamin Lloyd Crump, 53, is an American attorney who specializes in civil rights and personal injury cases.
He is the founder and president of Ben Crump Law in Florida, with over 10 associates in his legal staff representing the firm and clients.
Crump attended Florida State University and received his bachelor's degree in criminal justice in 1992, and his Juris Doctor in 1995.
He has been practicing law for nearly 25 years.
Attorneys release statement
Attorneys Ben Crump and Lee Merrit have released a statement on Ralph Yarl's case after being retained by the victim's family. They wrote:
"There is no excuse for the release of this armed and dangerous suspect after admitting to shooting an unarmed, non-threatening, and defenseless teenager that rang his doorbell."
"We demand swift action from Clay County prosecutors and law enforcement to identify, arrest, and prosecute to the full extend of the law the man responsible for this horrendous and unjustifiable shooting."
'The system is working'
The spokesperson for the prosecutor's office added: "We understand how frustrating this has been, but we can assure the public that the system is working."
"As with any serious case submitted to our office, we will approach this case in an objective and impartial manner."
"We ask the public to trust the system to achieve a just result."
Prosecutor's office breaks silence
"Our office has received a substantial amount of public feedback regarding the juvenile who was shot," the prosecutor's office said in a statement on Monday.
"We want to assure the public that our office understands the public interest in this case and is working as expeditiously as possible to address the matter."
The spokesperson shared that the office has not yet received a criminal referral from cops, "however, we are working with law enforcement in an attempt to speed up that process so that we can review the file when it is submitted and determine whether criminal charges are appropriate."
Police giving case 'full attention'
Kansas City mayor Quinton Lucas said: “This is not something that has been dismissed, marginalized or diminished in any way.”
He reiterated: “This is something that is getting the full attention of the Kansas City Police Department.”
Hundreds of protestors gather
Protests have erupted in the aftermath of the incident.
Hundreds of demonstrators gathered near where Ralph was shot, waved signs, and called for justice, footage posted by shows.
One sign said: "Ringing a doorbell is not a crime."
Ralph Yarl GoFundMe passes $1million target
The GoFundMe page organised in support of Ralph Yarl has surpassed its goal of $1million.
The page was set up by Ralph's aunt Faith Spoonmore and has rapidly reached its goal.
