Andrew Lester, 84, has been charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action. Photo: Clay County Missouri Sheriff's Office / AFP
By Max Matza
An 84-year-old man in Missouri accused of shooting a black teenager who mistakenly rang his doorbell has turned himself in, authorities said.
Andrew Lester was released after posting 10 percent of the total $200,000 (NZD$321,000) bail amount.
Lester, who is white, allegedly shot Ralph Yarl, 16, who is black, once in the head and once in the arm last Thursday night. The boy survived.
He has been charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action.
A prosecutor said there was a "racial component" to the shooting.
Lester has not been charged with a hate crime, and charging documents do not describe any alleged racial bias.
The teenager told authorities he had mistakenly approached Lester's home in Kansas City, Missouri, last Thursday night to pick up his younger twin brothers, driving to Northeast 115 Street instead of Northeast 115th Terrace, which is one block away.
After Ralph rang the doorbell, Lester shot him twice - once in the forehead and once in the arm. No words were exchanged before the homeowner opened fire with a .32 revolver, prosecutors said.
Lester has not denied shooting the boy, telling authorities he believed he was protecting himself from a confrontation. Prosecutors have said that Ralph "did not cross the threshold" of Lester's home.
Police initially detained Lester for questioning and released him without charges, sparking protests throughout Kansas City on Sunday.
On Monday, prosecutor Zachary Thompson announced Lester had been charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action. If convicted, he could face life in prison.
Last night, I had a chance to call Ralph Yarl and his family.
— President Biden (@POTUS) April 18, 2023
No parent should have to worry that their kid will be shot after ringing the wrong doorbell. We've got to keep up the fight against gun violence.
And Ralph, we'll see you in the Oval once you feel better. pic.twitter.com/mPXiM1X6nK
On Tuesday, Ralph's mother Cleo Nagbe told CBS News that her son had returned home from hospital, surrounded by a team of medical professionals.
He is expected to recover, Nagbe said, stunning his own doctors, who said they had no idea how he survived.
Lee Merritt, a lawyer for the Yarl family, told BBC News that Ralph was suffering from speech problems and had a long road to recovery.
"I think he's an amazing kid," said Merritt. He said the boy was surprised by all the attention the case has been getting.
"It's a big deal because the community is tired of their children being victimised and Ralph will make the change."
He added that Ralph had spoken on the phone with US Vice-President Kamala Harris.
The lawyer said the family was not upset that Lester had not been charged with attempted murder.
"I don't want to create a higher burden for prosecutors to meet," Merritt said.
"I want him to be locked away for the rest of his life and so these charges are sufficient."
Hundreds of protesters held a rally outside the local court on Tuesday where many denounced the suspect's bail posting.
"I'm angry Lester's been released on bail," 17-year-old Donna Camargo told the BBC.
"Even more angry he was taken into custody at the time of the incident and went home - was able to sleep in his bed while Ralph was fighting for his life in the hospital."
A GoFundMe account set up to pay for Ralph's medical recovery has raised more than $2.7 million as of Tuesday.
- BBC
