A community is venting their anger after a teen was shot for knocking on the wrong door in Kansas City, Missouri.
The teen went to the wrong address at 115th Street instead of 115th Terrace, a one block difference, to pick up his younger siblings on Thursday, April 13th. He was greeted by a gunshot, according to police.
The 16-year-old black victim, Ralph Yarl, is recovering, while the 84-year-old white suspect, Andrew D. Lester is facing serious charges.
Two felony counts were filed according to the Clay County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
“The defendant, Andrew D. Lester is charged with a class A felony of assault in the first degree,” Zachary Thompson, the Prosecuting Attorney, said. “The defendant is charged with armed criminal action.” He added,”I can tell you there was a racial component to the case.”
According to a probable cause statement filed with the prosecuting office, Lester said he was scared to death by Yarl’s size and his inability to defend himself at age 84.
He also told investigators he was in bed when he heard his doorbell ring and grabbed a handgun before answering the door.
He stated he believed someone was attempting to break into the house and shot twice through an exterior storm door within a few seconds of opening the main door, a police detective wrote in the court document.
If convicted on assault charges prosecutors say Lester could go to jail for the rest of his life.