Authorities have announced charges against a Kansas City, Missouri, man accused of shooting a 16-year-old Black teen who had mistakenly gone to the man’s home to pick up his younger siblings.
Clay County Prosecutor Zachary Thompson said at a Monday news conference that he’s filed two felony counts against 85-year-old Andrew Lester: assault in the first degree and armed criminal action. The announcement came less than an hour after Kansas City police said they submitted their investigation to the prosecutor’s office for review.
An arrest warrant has been issued for Lester.
Lester twice shot Yarl in the head and arm on Thursday night after the high school junior rang his doorbell, mistakenly thinking he was at the house where he was supposed to pick up his twin younger brothers.
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Thompson said he thinks there “was a racial component” in the shooting.
Yarl’s family has retained famed civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump, who said before the news conference that it “is inescapable not to acknowledge the racial dynamics at play.”
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story said Ralph Yarl was killed. He was seriously wounded in the shooting.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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