Andrew Lester: Missouri man, 84, who shot 16-year-old Ralph Yarl in the head and arm faces life in prison
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI: After surrendering to the police, Andrew Lester, suspected of shooting 16-year-old Ralph Yarl twice has been taken into custody. Andrew Lester, 84, turned himself in at the Clay County Detention Facility in Kansas City, Missouri on April 18, police announced.
Lester is accused of first-degree assault and armed criminal activity, he now faces life in prison. Ralph Yarl, 16, was shot in the head and in the arm after he went to pick up his twin younger brothers on Thursday night from a friend's house a few blocks away from his home, ringing the wrong doorbell.
READ MORE
‘Thought he was dead’: Neighbor who helped Ralph Yarl says he found teen bloody and motionless
'Don't come around here'
Lester who reportedly lives alone was initially arrested on April 4, just hours after shooting Yarl. He was released after he allegedly told police that he was "scared to death" of Yarl standing at the front door. He, as per the statement to the police, believed that "someone was attempting to break into the house." He saw Yarl "pulling on the exterior storm door handle." Clay County Prosecutor's Office charged Leter six days later.
Andrew Lester, charged in the shooting of Ralph Yarl, has surrendered at our Detention Center. He is in custody.
— Clay County, Missouri Sheriff (@SheriffClayCo) April 18, 2023
In his statement to the police on Friday, Yarl claimed that since this was his first visit to the house, he rang the doorbell and waited. However, it took the man a while, and as he approached to open it, he came out with a gun and shot him in the head through the glass without speaking a word. Yarl was again shot in the right arm within seconds as he fell to the ground. He stated that he was warned, "Don't come around here."
Lester's bond is set at $200,000
Yarl's mother Cleo Nagbe who is a nurse told CBS that he was shot at close range and instead of a couple of hugs from his siblings, he got bullets. "He got a couple of bullets inside his body, instead of a couple of twins coming out and giving him a hug." After getting released from the hospital, Rapph is recovering at home. "He continues to improve. He's responsive and he's making good progress," his father, Paul informed.
Lester's bond is set at $200,000. If convicted, he could face life in prison for the assault charge, and 3 to 15 years for armed criminal action, Daily Mail reported. Yarl's GoFundMe received $2,957,420 when the report was filed.
'A true miracle considering what he survived'
His aunt Faith Spoonmore who is organizing the fundraiser informed in an update that, "Ralph is currently at home with the family. He can ambulate and communicate. A true miracle considering what he survived." She added, "Each day is different. He has a long road ahead. However, we are very thankful that he is still here with us."
