A warrant of arrest has been issued against the man who is accused of shooting an African-American teenager in the face in Kansas City.
Andrew Lester (85) is accused of shooting Ralph Yarl (16), who, reportedly accidentally went to the incorrect house while trying to pick up his younger brothers.
Lester was arrested and his gun seized by police on Monday. He was then released to await further investigation.
In the vast majority of violent crime cases, suspects are released pending further investigations. The prosecutor needs more information in this case from the investigators, which would take over 24 hours to collect,” said Stacey Graves, chief of police.
We understand the frustration that this can cause throughout the criminal justice system.
Missouri law allows for a person to remain in custody for up to 24 hour for an investigation into a felony. The person will then be either released or charged formally.
Zachary Thompson, the lawyer of the victim, stated that there was “a racial element” to the shooting. He did not provide any further details about possible motives at a press conference. A warrant was issued for Lester’s rearrest, and his location is unknown.
Lester was also charged with first degree assault and armed criminal activity, Mr Thompson revealed.
He said that Lester and Ralph, 16, had not spoken before the alleged assault in which the former used a revolver.32 to shoot Ralph through a glass window in the head and arm.
According to a GoFundMe account, which was likely set up by Ralph Spoonmore’s aunt Faith Spoonmore, the teenager managed to escape the alleged assault, but he had to knock on three homes before anyone helped him.
The police had earlier stated that Ralph was in stable condition but with a serious injury.
Click here to read more
Mass shooting at birthday party leaves four dead and 28 injured
What is the true scope of America’s firearm problem?
“I thought he had died”
The man who discovered Ralph in a pool of blood told Sky’s US-based partner network NBC News that he had “thought he would be dead”.
“I heard someone screaming, “Help, help, I have been shot!” James Lynch added that the shouting was not in keeping with the quiet neighborhood.
Mr Lynch said he heard Ralph’s screams while he was preparing for bed. He then ran over to him by jumping his fence, and checked his pulse when he arrived.
Ralph struggled before spelling his name.
Ralph was waited for by Mr Lynch and another neighbour who brought towels to stop the bleeding.
“Stand Up, Fight Back”
On Sunday, the shooting in Kansas City sparked protests. Hundreds of people gathered outside the house where Ralph was allegedly killed, chanting “stand up and fight back!” “.
Ms Spoonmore broadcast live from the protests on Instagram, speaking to a woman living near the scene who saw Lester in the morning following the alleged assault.
She said, “This man tried to assassinate a child.”
“He shot him twice. We allowed him to go home after the incident. The next day, he woke up and claimed that nothing had happened.
Since its launch, the GoFundMe for Ralph campaign has raised over $2 million. High-profile donors include Julianne Hough and Ellyn Daniels.
reply
retweet
favourite
