More celebrities, including Jennifer Aniston, have demanded justice for Ralph Yarl, the innocent black teen who was shot twice when he accidentally pressed the wrong doorbell – when his GoFundMe page raised the $2.7 million for Yarl.
Ralph Yarl, 16, was gunned down outside a Kansas City, Missouri home just steps from the property where his siblings were waiting to be picked up, on April 13.
He reportedly pulled into the driveway of the home at 10 p.m., rang the doorbell, and was immediately shot twice, but managed to run next door to a neighbor for help.
Yarl was released from the hospital four days after he was shot and is expected to recover at home with his mother, who is a nurse.
Jennifer Aniston was the latest celebrity to demand justice for the teen, explaining what happened to the 16-year-old on Monday in a series of Instagram Stories – where posts are only visible for 24 hours.
Ralph Yarl, 16, was shot twice in the head by a white man after going to the wrong house in Kansas City while trying to pick up younger siblings
Andrew Lester (pictured), 85, is facing two felony counts and has a warrant out for his arrest, Clay County Prosecutor Zachary Thompson revealed yesterday.
Jennifer Aniston is the latest celebrity to demand justice for the teen, explaining what happened to him in a series of Instagram Stories. She also posted the prosecutor’s contact address, saying, “Use the contact information below to request that prosecutor Zachary Thompson immediately arrest and file appropriate charges.”
A GoFundMe fundraiser set up by Yarl’s aunt raised more than $2.7 million for the teen just one day after it was started
Aniston also posted the prosecutor’s contact address, saying, “Use the contact information below to request that prosecutor Zachary Thompson immediately arrest and file the appropriate charges.”
An arrest has since been made, as Clay County District Attorney Zachary Thompson announced later Monday.
He said the homeowner, identified as Andrew Lester, had been charged with one count of first-degree felony and one count of armed criminal action, also a misdemeanor. His bail was set at $200,000.
A GoFundMe fundraiser set up by Yarl’s aunt raised more than $2.7 million for the teen just one day after its inception.
Halle Berry was also one of the public figures who fought for justice. She said on Twitter two days ago: “His name is #RalphYarl and I’m tired of this feeling…
“My heart completely broke when I learned that this precious 16-year-old, who accidentally rang the wrong address in an attempt to pick up his siblings, had been shot in the head by a man who did not see him on his property.
“This innocent child is now fighting for his life. This could be your child. This should not happen.’
Model Naomi Campbell also posted a photo of Yarl, saying, “The white owner of the house shot this black kid in the head. He shot him again as Ralph bled to death. The shooter is free. No costs. This is America.’
Gwyneth Paltrow then posted Campbell’s words next to a photo of Yarl in her Instagram story.
Justin Timberlake also took to Twitter to share his outrage, writing, “The man is free and the 16-year-old is fighting for his life in hospital. It can’t be this.’
A talented bass clarinetist, Ralph also leads part of his school’s marching band and plays multiple instruments in the Northland Symphony Youth Orchestra
Ralph was hospitalized and is still recovering from his injuries after being shot in the head
Actresses Viola Davis and Halle Berry call for justice for academically gifted teen and pressure Kansas City Attorney Zachary Thompson to file ‘appropriate charges’
Ralph’s family has labeled his shooting a hate crime
Olivia Davis made two posts on Instagram, one captioned, “#JusticeForRalphYarl,” and another saying, “He didn’t deserve what happened to him. We won’t stand for it. We come for justice.’
Chrissy Teigen and actress Amy Schumer also shared Yarl’s story on their social media channels on Twitter and Instagram as they joined his family in their call for justice.
The Good Samaritan who rushed to help 16-year-old Yarl today revealed the terrible condition the boy was in when he found him.
Neighbor Jason Lynch, 42, said he was getting ready for bed after a shower when he heard screaming outside his house and someone yelling, “Help, help, I’ve been shot!”
He went to his kitchen window and saw Yarl banging on the door of a nearby house before seeing him lying bloodied and motionless on the floor.
“I thought he was dead,” Lynch admitted. “He didn’t deserve to be shot.”
The father-of-three sprang into action, running outside and jumping over a fence before crossing the street to meet Yarl.
Andrew Lester, 85, is facing two felony counts and has a warrant out for his arrest, Clay County Prosecutor Zachary Thompson revealed yesterday.
The prosecutor confirmed there was indeed a racial factor in the ordeal – after the teenage musician was shot twice, in the head and arm, after ringing the wrong door when he went to pick up his younger brothers.
“I can tell you there was a racial component to the case,” Thompson said.
Lester’s bond is set at $200,000. If convicted, Lester could face life in prison for assault charges and 3 to 15 years for armed criminal action.
He is accused of shooting scholar and musician Yarl twice through glass in the front of the house, just a block from the property where his younger twin brothers were waiting to be picked up.
Ralph, center, was going to try to pick up his younger siblings from a friend’s house, but went to the wrong address
Hundreds gathered outside the alleged gunman’s home to demand justice
Jason Lynch (pictured), 42, said he was getting ready for bed after a shower when he heard screaming outside his house and someone yelling, “Help, help, I’ve been shot!” The voice turned out to be 16-year-old shooting victim Ralph Yarl
He pulled into the home’s driveway around 10 p.m. on April 13, rang the doorbell, and was immediately shot in the head by the homeowner.
He survived and was released from the hospital after just four days, which family lawyer Ben Crump said was a miracle.
“He continues to improve. He reacts quickly and is making good progress,” said his father Paul.
“It was appropriate that the prosecution charged him and the only tragedy was that it took them so long to charge him,” Crump said.
“I think it’s appropriate, you can’t send the message to society that it’s okay to shoot black people in the head just because they ring the doorbell.”
President Joe Biden called the Yarl family on Monday and invited them to the White House when Ralph is well enough again.