Scholar shot in the head by white homeowner after he rang the wrong doorbell picking up siblings

A black teen has been shot twice in the head after he “accidentally went to the wrong house” late at night in Kansas City, Missouri, to pick up his siblings.

Ralph Yarl, 16, was shot at by a white homeowner on 115th Street Thursday night in what his family has labeled a “hate crime.”

Ralph’s family says he pulled into the home’s driveway at 10 p.m. Thursday night thinking it was on 115th Terrace where he would have gone.

The teen — who is a scholar at his school and aspired to study chemical engineering at Texas A&M University — rang the doorbell believing it was his friends’ and was immediately shot at.

“The man in the house opened the door, looked my cousin in the eye and shot him in the head,” his aunt, Faith Spoonmore wrote. “My cousin fell to the ground and the man shot him again.”

The teen fell to the ground but was still conscious and managed to escape and run to a neighbor for help.

Ralph was hospitalized and is still recovering from his injuries after being shot in the head

A talented bass clarinetist, Ralph also leads part of his school’s marching band and plays multiple instruments in the Northland Symphony Youth Orchestra

But no help came and he had to knock on the doors of three different houses before someone finally came to his aid and even then he was told to lie on the ground with his hands up.

Ralph was immediately rushed to hospital where he is now recovering from his injuries.

His family has one GoFundMe page to cover medical expenses and have stated that he “has a long road ahead of him mentally and emotionally.”

The alleged gunman, who has not been identified, was taken into custody shortly after the incident and to make a statement, but was later released ‘pending further investigation’.

Police have obtained the firearm used in the incident, but have explained that they have delayed filing charges against the homeowner because they are waiting for the teen to make his own statement about what happened.

Ralph had to knock on the doors of three different houses before someone finally came to his aid and even then he was told to lie on the floor with his hands up

Ralph’s family has labeled his shooting a hate crime

The release of the shooter was not well received by civil rights attorney Lee Merritt, who said in a tweet on Sunday morning: “Ralph is fighting for his life. This man should be arrested. We are on the way.’

On Sunday afternoon, Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves also justified the decision to release the alleged gunman.

“In the vast majority of cases involving violent crimes, the suspect is released pending further investigation,” Chief Graves said. “In this case, the prosecution needs more information from detectives that would take more than 24 hours all weekend to collect.

“We want the community to know that we are committed to justice in this cause and work every case and every day to seek that justice for all victims of all crimes,” Graves said, noting that she was “listening” and the “concern understood by the community. .’

On Sunday afternoon, Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves also justified the decision to release the alleged gunman.

Ralph, center, was going to try to pick up his younger siblings from a friend’s house, but went to the wrong address

Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the alleged gunman’s home on 115th Street on Sunday afternoon, demanding immediate justice

Protesters marched near where shooting took place Thursday night

Hundreds gathered outside the alleged gunman’s home to demand justice

A march was held on Sunday afternoon to demand the arrest of the gunman

Graves explained how detectives were gathering forensic evidence and taking a formal statement from Ralph before deciding whether to press charges.

She assured the community that the police are committed to justice in the case.

Graves said the KCPD will forward the case to the Clay County district attorney’s office to determine if any charges can be brought.

Despite such assurances, hundreds of protesters showed up outside the alleged gunman’s home on 115th Street on Sunday afternoon to demand immediate justice.

Ralph’s family described him as a wonderful kid who dreamed of going to Texas A&M for chemical engineering.

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 can often be found with a musical instrument,” Aunt Spoonmore wrote. “He loves them all.”

She commented that it was a miracle that her cousin was still alive.

‘He is our miracle. We’ve heard stories like this many times, and unfortunately most black guys don’t live to get another chance.’

This wasn’t a ‘mistake’. This is a hate crime,” she wrote on Instagram. “You don’t shoot a kid in the head for calling.”

According to his relatives, Ralph’s teacher and friends describe him as “a kind soul,” “calm,” “friendly,” “well-mannered,” “always willing to help,” “super smart,” and a “musical genius.” .’