April 13, 16-year-old Ralph Yarl went to pick up his younger siblings. Upon arrival, 84-year-old Andrew Lester answered the door, and shot Yarl in the head and right arm. Lester later turned himself in, and was taken into custody by local authorities, only to be released April 14 without any charges. 

Miraculously, Yarl survived the attack. Surgery was done to remove one of the bullets, which was located above his eye and lodged into his skull. He is expected to make a full recovery. 

“I can think of no justification for shooting a child multiple times for ringing the wrong doorbell — and we as a society ought to think very carefully about whether or not that is the world we want to live in,” said Democratic Representative Emanuel Cleaver.

Lester told the police on-scene a completely different story than what Yarl had previously told. Some of Lester’s details were either exaggerated or false. Lester was later charged with assault in the first degree, and pleaded not guilty. He is now out on a $200,000 bond, and is expected in court by June 1, 2023.

“He’s the least imposing kid I’ve come across. He is a 16-year-old musician. He is not known for his physical prowess,” said Attorney Lee Meritt.