Jennifer Aniston joins other celebs to demand justice for Ralph Yarl who was shot for ringing wrong doorbell
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI: Prominent personalities including Jennifer Aniston have raised their voices and demanded justice for the innocent black teenager who was shot twice when he accidentally rang the wrong doorbell. Ralph Yarl, 16, was shot outside of a house in Kansas City, Missouri, just a block away from the property his siblings were waiting to be picked up from, on April 13.
Yarl reportedly pulled into the driveway of the home at 10 pm and rang the doorbell. He was immediately shot a couple of times but somehow managed to run next door and ask his assailant's neighbor for help. The teen was released after four days from the hospital and is said to be recovering at home with his mother, who is a nurse.
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The 'Friends' alum was one of the latest celebrities to demand justice for the teenager. The 54-year-old explained what happened to the 16-year-old in a series of Instagram Stories on Monday, April 17.
Aniston also posted the prosecutor's contact address
"Use the contact information below to demand Prosecutor Zachary Thompson make an immediate arrest and bring the appropriate charges," she said in the post. Clay County prosecutor Zachary Thompson announced later on Monday that an arrest warrant has been issued.
Perpetrator has been charged
Andrew Lester, the homeowner, has been charged with one count of felony assault in the first degree and one count of armed criminal action, also a felony. Thompson said on Monday evening, April 17, that Lester was not yet in police custody. Lester's bond is set at $200,000 and if convicted, Lester could face life in prison for the assault charge, and 3 to 15 years for armed criminal action. A GoFundMe fundraiser set up by Yarl's aunt has raised more than $ 2.7 million for the teenager just one day after it was created.
Halle Berry also raised concerns
Halle Berry was also among the public figures fighting for justice. "His name is #RalphYarl and I'm sick and tired of this feeling...", she tweeted two days ago. "My heart completely broke when I learned this precious 16-year-old, who accidentally rang the door of the wrong address in an attempt to pick up his siblings, was shot in the head by a man who didn't want him on his property. This innocent child is now fighting for his life. This could be your child. This should NOT happen."
His name is #RalphYarl and I’m sick and tired of this feeling…my heart completely broke when I learned this precious 16-year-old, who accidentally rang the door of the wrong address in an attempt to pick up his siblings, was shot in the head… (1/3) pic.twitter.com/4VaZo7EFVE
— Halle Berry (@halleberry) April 17, 2023
Model Naomi Campbell and Justin Timberlake also demanded justice
Model Naomi Campbell also posted a picture of Yarl, saying, "The white owner of the house shot this black child in the head. He shot him again as Ralph bled out. The shooter is free. No charges. This is America." Gwyneth Paltrow then posted Campbell's words alongside a picture of Yarl in her Instagram Story. Justin Timberlake also took to Twitter to share his outrage and wrote, "The man is free and the 16-year-old is fighting for his life in the hospital. This can't be it."
#RalphYarl accidentally rang the door of the wrong house while trying to pick up his siblings. For this, a man shot him in the head. Then shot him a 2nd time as he was on the ground. The man is free and the 16-year-old is fighting for his life in the hospital. This can’t be it. pic.twitter.com/pcs8retddo
— Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) April 17, 2023
Olivia Davis added two posts on Instagram, one with the caption, "#JusticeForRalphYarl" and another saying, "He didn't deserve what happened to him. We won't stand for it. We are coming for justice."
'I thought he was dead'
The neighbor who rushed to help the young boy has revealed that he was in a dire situation when he found him. Neighbour Jason Lynch, 42, said he was ready to go to bed after a shower when heard shouting outside his home and heard somebody screaming, "Help, help, I've been shot!" Lynch went over to his kitchen window and saw Yarl banging on the door of a nearby home before seeing him lying down on the ground, bloody and motionless.
"I thought he was dead," Lynch admitted according to Daily Mail. "He didn't deserve to get shot." The father of three wasted no time and sprung into action, running outside and hopping a fence before racing across the street to get to Yarl.