*A 16-year-old Black boy was shot in the head by a white homeowner in a Kansas City neighborhood after ringing the wrong doorbell.
The boy, Ralph Yarl, was shot twice by a white man on Thursday after he “mistakenly went to the wrong house” while picking up his siblings, according to a GoFundMe set up by his aunt, Faith Spoonmore, to cover medical expenses. The campaign has raised over one million dollars at the time of this publishing.
When Yarl rang the doorbell, “The man in the home opened the door, looked my nephew in the eye, and shot him in the head,” Spoonmore wrote. “My nephew fell to the ground, and the man shot him again.”
Despite being seriously injured, Yarl was reportedly able to run to “three different homes” seeking help. Someone came to his aid by ordering him to lie on the ground with his hands up. He was hospitalized, but “has a long road ahead mentally and emotionally,” per the fundraiser page.
READ MORE: Mother of 6-year-old Boy Who Shot Teacher Indicted by Grand Jury | Video
Ralph Yarl’s lawyers blast the release of shooter after 24 hours https://t.co/rHpHNfgyNV pic.twitter.com/q7WVmjqtg0
— New York Post (@nypost) April 17, 2023
According to multiple reports, the gun owner, who has not been identified, was briefly detained and questioned by police but released pending further investigation.
We’ve been retained by Ralph Yarl & his family following the unjustifiable shooting of the 16-yo by an unidentified white male assailant. @MerrittForTexas & our legal team demand Clay County prosecutors & law enforcement swiftly identify, arrest, & prosecute the man responsible! pic.twitter.com/FmX2S7ZEZh
— Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) April 17, 2023
The teenager’s family’s attorneys, Ben Crump and Lee Merritt, released a statement on Sunday, saying, “There can be no excuse for the release of this armed and dangerous suspect after admitting to shooting an unarmed, non-threatening and defenseless teenager that rang his doorbell! We demand swift action from Clay County prosecutors and law enforcement to identify, arrest and prosecute to the full extent of the law the man responsible for this horrendous and unjustifiable shooting.”
Check out a video statement from the shooting victim’s aunt via the Twitter clip below.
Dr. Faith Spoonmore is the aunt of Ralph Yarl. Please don’t scroll by and not listen! #ralphyarl pic.twitter.com/FvlUh33IQQ
— alexa, tell me a dad joke???????????? 1 to go ???? (@fitdadceo) April 16, 2023
On social media, several celebrities have reacted to the shooting.
“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 by a man who didn’t want him on his property,” tweeted Halle Berry. “Please do something today! Join me and please contact Prosecutor Zachary Thompson and demand an immediate arrest and bring the appropriate charges.”
Jennifer Hudson reportedly posted on Facebook: “My God !!! Heartbroken for this young man and his family. Praying for his complete recovery.”
On Sunday, hundreds of protesters gathered outside of the gunman’s home, The Daily Beast reports.
WATCH:
Tonight, the community is praying for healing as 16-year-old Ralph Yarl begins his path to recovery. @kmbc
Protestors say this is just the beginning of their fight for justice.
Our story from tonight: pic.twitter.com/Nuu6c1ZB3H
— Peyton Headlee KMBC (@PeytonKMBC) April 17, 2023
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