Elderly Man Charged for Ralph Yarl's Shooting After Entering Wrong House, Teen Discharged from Hospital

A White Missouri man has been charged with assault in the first degree and armed criminal action after he allegedly shot a Black teenager who rang the wrong doorbell while trying to pick up his younger siblings. Andrew Lester, 85, could possibly serve life in prison if convicted, as first-degree felony assault carries a minimum sentence of 10 to 30 years and a maximum sentence of life. Clay County Prosecuting Attorney Zachary Thompson said there was a racial component to the case but declined to provide details. Ralph Yarl, the 16-year-old victim, was released from hospital on Monday, but his family said he still faced a long road to recovery.

Yarl, who is an honors student and a section leader in his high school band, had been asked by his parents to collect his siblings on Thursday from a friend’s home. In a mix-up over the address, he went to the wrong address and was shot by Lester when he went to the front door to ask for his brothers. Protests have been held outside Lester’s home by demonstrators demanding he is charged over the incident. Celebrities including Halle Berry, Questlove and Justin Timberlake have voiced their support for Yarl and his family.