- Black Teen Ralph Yarl’s Family Sues Homeowner for Wrong-Door Shooting.
- The lawsuit accuses Andrew Lester and the Highland Acres Homes Association of careless and negligent conduct, highlighting Lester’s propensity for violence and the association’s awareness of Lester’s behavior.
- The incident sparked protests and demands for Lester’s immediate arrest, reflecting the broader conversation around gun violence and racial tensions.
- Ralph Yarl’s mother, Cleo Nagbe, hopes the lawsuit will initiate dialogue on responsible gun ownership and community safety measures.
Newsypeople – Lester, an 85-year-old white homeowner, has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree assault and armed criminal action. His trial is set to begin on October 7, 2023.
Ralph Yarl’s family, a Black teen who survived being shot in the head after accidentally ringing the wrong doorbell in Kansas City, Missouri, has filed a lawsuit against the white homeowner who fired at him and the Highland Acres Homes Association, where the incident occurred. The lawsuit, filed in Clay County Circuit Court, accuses Andrew Lester, the shooter, and the homeowners association of “careless and negligent conduct.” The family alleges that Lester, who was 85 at the time of the incident, never gave Yarl a verbal warning before firing his gun and that he should have known Yarl wasn’t a threat. The lawsuit also claims that the Highland Acres Homes Association was aware of or should have been aware of Lester’s propensity for violence, access to dangerous weapons, and racial animus.
The incident occurred on April 13, 2023, when Yarl, then 16, went to the wrong house to pick up his two younger brothers. Upon ringing the doorbell, Lester fired multiple rounds from a handgun, grazing Yarl in the head and striking him in the arm. Lester called the police, stating he fired because he was scared. The shooting sparked protests across the country and demands for Lester’s immediate arrest. Lester surrendered to police days later after being charged with first-degree assault, a felony, and armed criminal action. He has pleaded not guilty, and his trial is scheduled to start on October 7.
The lawsuit seeks unspecified compensation, court costs, and legal fees. Ralph Yarl’s mother, Cleo Nagbe, hopes that by filing the lawsuit, she can start a dialogue on responsible gun ownership and community safety measures. The family is also seeking to address the broader issue of anti-Black racism and the need for safer environments for children to thrive without fear.
Lester was initially detained the night of the shooting but released two hours later. After a public outcry, he was arrested and charged nearly a week later. Lester told police he was scared due to the boy’s size, and his family said Ralph stood 5-foot-8-inches and weighed just 140 pounds. Ralph claimed he never pulled on the door but rang the doorbell and waited before a man opened the door and immediately shot him in the head. While on the ground, Ralph said the gunman fired again and shot him in the arm. The teenager survived with serious injuries, including the possibility of long-term brain issues. The civil lawsuit alleges that Yarl suffered permanent injuries, endured pain and suffering, experienced disability and losses of normal life activities, and was obligated to spend large sums of money for medical care and attention.
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