Kansas City Teen Mistakenly Goes to the Wrong Address and Gets Shot in the Head by Homeowner!
A Kansas City teenager was shot in the head last Thursday evening after accidentally going to the wrong address!
Police learned that the teenager’s parents had asked him to pick up his siblings at an address on 115th Terrace, but he accidentally went to a home on 115th Street, where he was shot, according to police. The teen then had to run to THREE different houses screaming and crying for help before anyone in the neighborhood would open their doors and help him.
The teen was identified as 16-year-old high school junior Ralph Yarl, according to a joint statement from civil rights attorneys S. Lee Merritt and Benjamin Crump, who have been retained by the victim and his family.
Police Chief Stacey Graves said Sunday the police department is working to make sure the investigation moves as quickly as it can so the case can be presented to the Clay County prosecutor. “I want everyone to know that I am listening,” Graves said at a news conference at Kansas City police headquarters downtown, “and I understand the concern we are receiving from the community.”
Graves said Sunday that the homeowner who allegedly shot the teen was taken into custody Thursday and placed on a 24-hour hold. While searching the scene for evidence, detectives found the firearm allegedly used.
“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,” the statement from the victim’s attorneys read.
Asked whether the shooting may have been racially motivated, the police chief said, “the information that we have now, it does not say that that is racially motivated. That’s still an active investigation. But as a chief of police, I do recognize the racial components of this case.”
The unidentified shooter has since been released from police custody but is not at home in peace. Hundreds of protesters showed up on the streets outside of the home where Yarl was shot demanding that the teen receive justice for this senseless shooting.
A GoFundMe campaign has been started by Yarl's family where they say his teachers and friends describe him as “ a kind soul,” “quiet,” “friendly,” “well-mannered,” “always willing to help,” “super smart,” and a “musical genius.”
They said in a statement that "Life looks a lot different right now. Even though he is doing well physically, he has a long road ahead mentally and emotionally. The trauma that he has to endure and survive is unimaginable. He is our miracle. We have heard these types of stories many times, and unfortunately, most black boys are not alive to get another chance."
Yarl is still healing but the road to recovery is going to be long and hard both physically and financially.
We'll update on this story as more details become available.
