Teen scholar Ralph Yarl, 16, was shot and killed after “ringing the bell wrong” while trying to pick up his siblings from Kansas City
A TEEN student was shot dead after ringing the wrong doorbell while trying to pick up his siblings, police officers said.
Ralph Yarl, 16, was hospitalized with serious injuries after being shot Thursday in Kansas City, Missouri.
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His aunt Faith Spoonmore posted on GoFundMe that Ralph accidentally parked in a driveway just a block from where his siblings were staying.
She said her nephew, who didn’t have his cell phone, was shot at least twice after ringing the doorbell.
Faith said that Ralph, a high school junior, fled the scene and ran to three houses to ask for help.
Cops revealed Ralph, who enjoys playing instruments, suffered “life-threatening injuries,” according to local NBC affiliate KSHB-TV.
Faith warned that he had a “long road ahead” after the ordeal.
In an Instagram clip, she said, “He’s currently fighting for a chance to return to a new normal.”
Faith added, “The trauma he has to endure and survive is unimaginable.”
Meanwhile, the homeowner who allegedly shot Ralph was taken into custody Thursday and held for 24 hours.
Police officers combed the house and examined the gun found.
The Kansas City Police Department has confirmed that the suspect has been released pending further investigation.
Police Chief Stacey Graves said police have not yet received a victim statement from Ralph.
She said a formal statement had to be made in order to make an arrest.
Civil rights attorney Lee Merritt called for the suspect’s arrest.
Protests erupted after the incident.
Hundreds of protesters gathered near the spot where Ralph was shot, waving signs and demanding justice, footage obtained by KSHB shows.
A sign read, “Ringing is not a crime.”
Faith said she could sense “a lot of love” among the protesters.
Graves told reporters on Sunday, “We want the community to know that we are committed to justice in this case and in every case, and we work every day to bring that justice to all victims of all crimes.”
She said she “understands” the concerns of people in the community.
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said, “This is not something that has been dismissed, marginalized, or belittled in any way.”
He reiterated, “This is something that has the full attention of the Kansas City Police Department.”
Police said the probe remains active and is investigating possible motives.
Faith revealed that Ralph is a member of his school’s science team and technology association, as well as a section head in a marching band.
The student has ambitions to major in chemical engineering at Texas A&M University.
More than $700,000 has been raised since the GoFundMe page was created.
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