Ralph Yarl updates — Suspect Andrew Lester charged in shooting while Missouri teen makes major step in recovery

Police giving case 'full attention', claims mayor

Kanas City Police are giving the Ralph Yarl investigation their "full attention", the city's mayor has said.

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.”

Ralph planned West Africa visit before incident

Ralph Yarl was set to visit West Africa prior to last week's alleged shooting, his aunt said.

Writing on the GoFundMe page organised to support his recovery Faith Spoonmore wrote: "Ralph was looking forward to graduating high school and finally getting the opportunity to visit West Africa before starting college."

Family retains attorneys Ben Crump and Lee Merritt

The family of Ralph Yarl has retained attorneys Ben Crump and Lee Merrit.

In a joint statement, the attorneys demanded "swift action" from Clay County prosecutors.

Ralph 'alive and recovering'

Ralph Yarl, who was allegedly shot in the head by a homeowner after arriving at the wrong house to pick up his siblings, is "recovering" from his injuries.

Yarl and his family have hired civil rights attorneys S. Lee Merritt and Benjamin Crump.

“Despite the severity of his injuries and the seriousness of his condition, Ralph is alive and recovering,” the attorneys said.

What does the GoFundMe page say?

Ralph’s aunt, Faith Spoonmore, has set up a GoFundMe page which is fast approaching its target of $900,000.

The page reads: "On Thursday, April 13, 2023, my nephew Ralph Pual Yarl was on his way to pick up his twin younger brothers from their friend's house a few blocks away from his house.

"He didn't have his phone. He mistakenly went to the wrong house, one block away from the house where his siblings were. He pulled into the driveway and rang the doorbell.

"The man in the home opened the door, looked my nephew in the eye, and shot him in the head. 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 3 different homes before someone finally agreed to help him after he was told to lie on the ground with his hands up."

Ralph is a ‘fantastic kid’

Ralph’s aunt, Faith, has described the teenager as a “fantastic kid” who is part of multiple clubs.

She said: “Ralph Pual Yarl is a fantastic kid, and I am not just saying this because he is my nephew. He truly is.

“At school, he is a member of the Technology Student Association and Science Olympia Team. Jazz and competition band. He is a section leader in the marching band; a scholar and one of the top base clarinet players in Missouri.”

Faith went on to add that Ralph is described as a “kind soul” by his teachers.

Homeowner released 'pending further investigation'

The homeowner who allegedly shot Ralph was taken into custody on Thursday and placed on a 24-hour hold.

Cops combed the home and are examining the weapon that they found.

Kansas City police officials have confirmed that the suspect has been released pending further investigation.

Teen didn't have cell phone

Ralph Yarl's aunt Faith Spoonmore posted on that Ralph accidentally parked on a property driveway just one block from the house where his siblings were.

She said that her nephew, who didn't have his cell phone, was shot at least twice after ringing the doorbell.

Faith said that Ralph, a high school junior, fled the scene and ran to three homes, requesting help.

Ralph has a 'long road ahead'

Ralph's aunt warned that he has a “long road ahead” following the ordeal.

In an Instagram , she said: "He's currently fighting for the chance to return to what could be a new normal."

Faith added: "The trauma that he has to endure and survive is unimaginable."

Police waiting on victim statement

Cops combed the home and are examining the weapon that they found.

Kansas City police officials have confirmed that the suspect has been released pending further investigation.

Police chief Stacey Graves said cops have not yet got a victim statement from Ralph.

She said that a formal statement needs to be provided in order to make an arrest.

Gun violence leaves 36 dead and 97 hurt over the weekend

One of the worst weekends for gun violence this year has claimed 36 lives and left 97 injured.

Four people were killed and 20 others wounded in a single mass shooting over the weekend in Dadeville, Alabama, which is around 44 miles northeast of Montgomery.

Over the weekend, Louisville suffered two shootings, resulting in four lives lost and several people injured.

Shortly before 4.30am on Saturday, police found Jamal M. Malone, 28, shot dead and took two others, a man and a woman, with gunshot wounds to the hospital.

The man later died at the hospital and the woman went into surgery with her current condition unknown.

Later that day, at around 9pm two more people were killed and four others were wounded in another shooting at Chickasaw Park.

Graves sought to assure the community

Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves sought to assure the community that the police department is committed to bringing justice to this case.

Graves said: “We recognize the frustration this can cause in the entire criminal justice process.

"The women and men of the Kansas City Police Department are working as expeditiously and as thoroughly as we can, to ensure the criminal justice process continues to advance as quickly as all involved and our community deserve."