KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI — The 16-year-old honor student, Ralph Yarl, who was seriously injured in a shooting on Thursday, has fortunately been released from medical care and will be recovering at home, according to KCTV5.
Ralph’s father informed KCTV5 that his son was able to walk in the hospital parking lot before being taken home.
The incident occurred when Ralph accidentally went to the wrong address on NE 115th Street while attempting to pick up his younger siblings, according to KCTV5.
The shooter, 84-year-old Andrew D. Lester, reportedly told Kansas City detectives that he opened fire “within a few seconds” of seeing the Black teenager on his doorstep, according to charging documents filed in Clay County on Monday as reported by The Kansas City Star.
Lester, who is white, allegedly claimed he feared for his safety upon seeing Yarl at his door.
Lester was initially released from police custody after 24 hours, as Clay County prosecutors believed the case required further investigation, according to The Kansas City Star.
However, on Monday, Lester was reportedly charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action. He reportedly faces up to 30 years in prison for the first of those two charges by itself — essentially a remaining life sentence for the elderly man, should he be convicted.