On April 13, 2023, a young man named Ralph Yarl rang a doorbell in Kansas City. The problem was, he had mixed up the property with another, and the homeowner, Andrew Lester, shot the young man.
Andrew had been picking up his twin brothers from a friend’s house and accidentally went to the wrong home. This small mistake led to him being shot, and although he didn’t die, he was shot in the head, and it was a serious situation.
Lester said that he thought the young boy was trying to break into his house. Fortunately, he was only in the hospital for a few days after such a serious gunshot wound.
Charges were filed against Lester, who pleaded not guilty and was released on a $200,000 bond. On February 14, Lester entered a guilty plea for felony assault in the second degree.
If Lester had been convicted of this charge, he could have spent up to seven years in prison. His sentencing was due to take place on March 7, but the 86-year-old passed away.
According to Clay County Prosecuting Attorney Zachary Thompson: “We have learned of the passing of Andrew Lester and extend our sincere condolences to his family during this difficult time,” he said.
“While the legal proceedings have now concluded, we acknowledge that Mr. Lester did take responsibility for his actions by pleading guilty in this case. Our thoughts remain with both families affected by this tragic incident as they continue their healing process.”
Yarl’s family is uncertain about how they feel regarding the situation. They said: “We remain committed to seeking a world where no child fears for their life because of their race, and no family has to endure what we have. Ralph’s story is far from over, and neither is our fight for justice.”