Crime & Justice

Charges filed against man accused of shooting Kansas City teen Ralph Yarl

Andrew Lester has been charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action.

Published

3 years ago

April 17, 2023

UVM Staff

Ralph Yarl

Clay County Prosecutor’s Office on Monday evening have filed charges against the man accused of shooting Kanasas City teen Ralph Yarl.

Man charged with shooting Ralph Yarl

84-year-old Andrew Lester has been charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action.

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Lester was arrested and released on bond, according to authorities.

Yarl, 16, was shot late on the evening of April 13th, 2023 at a home in Kansas City.

Yarl was picking up his younger twin siblings, but he went to Northeast 115th Street instead of 115th Terrace.

Police said Yarl was shot in the head and chest after he knocked on the home’s door.

Long road ahead

According to Yarl’s father, the teen has been released from the hospital.

“He continues to improve. He’s responsive and he’s making good progress,” the father told the Kansas City Star.

A GoFundMe started by Yarl’s aunt, has raised more than $1.9 million as of Monday evening.

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Unheard Voices, an award-winning, family owned online news magazine, began in 2004 as a community newsletter serving Neptune, Asbury Park, and Long Branch, N.J. Over time, it grew into a nationally recognized Black-owned media outlet. The publication remains one of the few dedicated to covering social justice issues. Its honors include the NAACP Unsung Hero Award and multiple media innovator awards for excellence in social justice reporting and communications.