Kansas Prosecutors Press Charges Against Andrew D. Lester for Shooting Black Teen

Hundreds gathered outside the home of a man who shot a teenager last week after he rang the doorbell. Police let the shooter go with no charges after a 24-hour hold, but protestors are demanding charges. Photo by Savannah Hawley-Bates..

Clay County Prosecuting Attorney Zachary Thompson announced on Monday that charges have been filed against Andrew D. Lester, an 85-year-old white resident, in connection with the shooting of a Black 16-year-old, Ralph Yarl. Lester has been charged with assault in the first degree and armed criminal action, both of which are felony counts. The charges come after days of national outcry over the incident, which occurred late Thursday night when Yarl mistakenly knocked on Lester's front door.

Thompson stated that the assault charge is a class A felony, and if Lester is found guilty, he could face a minimum of 10 years and up to 30 years or life in prison. However, Thompson also mentioned that there will be no hate crime charge filed, despite calls from many for such charges, as hate crime charges in Missouri carry lower penalties compared to the two felonies.

According to the family of the victim, Yarl was supposed to pick up his twin brothers at a home on 115th Terrace, but went to the wrong address. Lester shot Yarl once in the head and again after he fell, according to police. Lester was questioned by the police and held for 24 hours before being released.

However, Thompson stated that there was a racial component to the case. He acknowledged that many people were frustrated with the length of time it took to file charges, but emphasized that the criminal justice system was working.

Vice President Kamala Harris tweeted her support for the Yarl family, saying that she and her husband, Doug, are praying for them. She also added, "No child should ever live in fear of being shot for ringing the wrong doorbell. Every child deserves to be safe. That's the America we are fighting for."

The handling of the case has been criticized by various groups, including the African Methodist Episcopal Church Ministerial Alliance of the Midwest Conference, which referenced other well-known killings of Black boys in a statement: "At what point do we admit that the color of fear is always black? In these moments, we remember that Emmett Till was just a little boy. Trayvon Martin was just a little boy. Tamir Rice was just a little boy."

In response to the incident, a GoFundMe fundraiser was started by Yarl's aunt, Faith Spoonmore, to cover medical bills and therapy expenses. The fundraiser has already raised over $1.6 million as of Monday afternoon. Spoonmore expressed that Yarl has a long road ahead mentally and emotionally despite his physical recovery, and described the trauma he has to endure as unimaginable.

Clay County Prosecuting Attorney Thompson concluded by stating, "My heart goes out to the child and family involved in this case. My goal during this process has been and will remain to be seeking justice for him." The case has garnered national media attention and continues to be closely followed by the public.