Update: 16-Year-Old Black Boy Who Was Shot In The Head For Ringing Doorbell Of The Wrong Home Has Been Released From The Hospital 

Ralph Yarl

Update: 16-Year-Old Black Boy Who Was Shot In The Head For Ringing Doorbell Of The Wrong Home Has Been Released From The Hospital

Update: (Apr. 17): Ralph Yarl’s family has released an update on his recovery.

The 16-year-old’s father, Paul Yarl, confirmed with a Kansas City news station that Ralph was released from the hospital today (Apr. 17) and is continuing his healing journey at home. He reportedly shared,

“He continues to improve. He’s responsive and he’s making good progress.”

As previously reported, four days ago, Ralph was sent to pick up his younger siblings who were visiting a friend that lived a few blocks away. After mistakenly pulling into the driveway of the wrong residence and ringing the doorbell, Ralph was shot in the head by a white man. The young boy fell to the ground and, according to reports, that’s when the homeowner shot him again.

The man who is responsible for the shooting was taken to police headquarters to provide a statement but was released shortly after without charge. His name has yet to be revealed to the public but new reports do claim he is 80 years old.

[VIA]

Original story: (Apr. 17): A community in Kansas City is demanding justice for a young Black boy who was reportedly the victim of a gruesome hate crime.

According to reports, last Thursday (Apr. 13) Ralph Yarl, a 16-year-old Black boy, left his house to pick up his younger brothers who were a few blocks away at their friend’s home. Ralph mistakenly pulled into the driveway of the wrong residence and rang the doorbell. Unfortunately, instead of being told he was at the wrong address, the homeowner, who is a white man, reportedly shot Ralph in the head through the glass door. After Ralph hit the ground, the man shot the young boy again.

Ralph Yarl

Ralph was able to get up and fled to the neighbor’s home in hope of finding help, however, they refused to open the door. According to the boy’s aunt, Dr. Faith Spoonmore, Ralph knocked on the doors of three different houses looking for help until somebody in the neighborhood demanded he put his hands up and “lay on the ground.” She added that it wasn’t until her nephew was back on the ground that they finally called the police. Fighting back tears, she continued,

“You hear these stories about racism in America and you think ‘wow, how sad is that.’ But then you have this little bit of hope because you feel like it’s so far away and it would never happen to your family…I cannot believe that this is the country that we live in.”

@ahealthymixture

I pray to someday let go of the hate and anger I feel right now. Kids are in more danger going to school, going to the store, and going to church. However, black people/ boys are in danger just because they are born black. What the hell is that? Please keep all the prayers coming. We truly need it not just for recovery but for forgiveness. Thank you #kcmo #blacklivesmatter #racisminamerica #racism #guncontrol #kcmom #kansascitymo #kcblogger #kansascityblogger #foxnews #fox4kc #kidsdeservebetter #blackpeoplearetired

? original sound – Faith Spoonmore

In a separate video, she questioned why the man who wrongfully shot her loved one twice isn’t behind bars.

“An attack on one Black child is an attack on every single Black kid…and the fact that we know if it was any other way – if this was a Black man, he would not be standing in front of his house, with a new glass door, cleaning up the staircase.”

@ahealthymixture

This man intended to kill an innocent child simply because he rang the doorbell of the wrong house. He looked him in the face and shot him. @fox4kc new report clearly showed that the glasses door had been replaced as if nothing happened, and the individual is free to go about his day as if he did a great deed. While my nephew is a great kid, an intelligent kid, a black boy is left with so many broken pieces. If you want to know how you can help me or my family, please tag and share with as many people as you think can help this story grow. That man needs to be in jail. Black boys do not need to die for us to say enough is ENOUGH. Let America see that an attempt to kill 1 black kid is an attempt to kill all black kids. #kcmo #blacklivesmatter #racisminamerica #racism #guncontrol #kcmom #kansascitymo #kcblogger #kansascityblogger #foxnews @cnn @fox4kc @kmbc9 #fox4kc #kidsdeservebetter #blackpeoplearetired

? original sound – Faith Spoonmore

She then slammed the neighbors who refused to help her innocent nephew as he fought for his life.

“There was a comment made by [a] neighbor in a news report…[and they said] ‘we look out for each other.’ Who are we looking out for? ‘Cause my nephew ran from door to door, so who are we looking out for? Not this 16-year-old boy. No, not him.”

Reportedly, the white man who seemingly tried to kill Ralph was taken to police headquarters briefly to provide a statement but was released shortly after without charge.

Ralph Yarl

Following the shooting, Ralph was taken to the hospital to treat his life-threatening injuries. Updates on his current condition have not been released, but it has been reported that he is stable. Police Chief Stacey Graves said Sunday (Apr. 16) during a press conference,

“I want everyone to know that I am listening and I understand the concern we are receiving from the community.”

According to Graves, the police department is working to make sure the investigation moves at a quick pace so it can be presented to the Clay County prosecutor. In the meantime, over the weekend, hundreds of people appeared in front of the home of the white man responsible for the shooting and demanded that he be arrested. Mayor Quinton Lucas spoke on the attack against Ralph and said,

 “This is not something that has been dismissed, marginalized or diminished in any way. This is something that is getting the full attention of the Kansas City Police Department.”

A massive crowd has amassed in front of the white man's home who attempted to murder 16 year old Black boy Ralph Yarl in Kansas City Missouri pic.twitter.com/f100JlEihV

— The Kansas City Defender (@KCDefender) April 16, 2023

Celebrities have also been using their large platforms to call for justice for Ralph. Halle Berry recently tweeted,

“His name is #RalphYarl and I’m sick and tired of this feeling…my heart completely broke when I learned this precious 16-year-old, who accidentally rang the door of the wrong address in an attempt to pick up his siblings, was shot in the head by a man who didn’t want him on his property.

This innocent child is now fighting for his life. This could be your child. This should NOT happen.”

Bernice King, daughter of civil rights leaders Martin Luther King Jr., said,

“#RalphYarl. My goodness…let’s be for justice, which is a continuum. That means the man who did this should be charged AND we need to work for the legislative and heart change to prevent these tragedies. “

Others expressed,

Ralph’s family has retained Civil rights attorney Ben Crump to help fight their case. Crump spoke about the incident to the local press and said,

“You can’t just shoot people without having justification when somebody comes knocking on your door and knocking on your door is not justification. This guy should be charged.”

He continued,

“After he had shot him, you could’ve closed your door and called the police. Why did you go out and shoot him a second time? It’s outrageous, is what it is. It’s outrageous. You just shoot somebody because they knocked on your door.”

The family has also started a GoFundMe account to help pay for Ralph’s medical bills and therapy.

theJasmineBrand sends our thoughts and prayers to Ralph Yarl and his family during this difficult time. 

[VIA: 1,2,3]