Ralph Yarl gained notoriety in 2023 when he unintentionally walked to the home of an 81-year-old white homeowner and was shot. Following that, Andrew Lester was placed on trial and accused of first-degree assault and armed criminal activity.
Then 16, Yarl was trying to pick up his brother from a friend’s home on the night of April 13 and had gone to the wrong Kansas City residence when Lester shot him through the door, according to NBC News.
It is believed that he was accidentally dropped off at Northeast 115th Street, a block distant, while picking up his brothers from a house at Northeast 115th Terrace. According to Yarl, Lester told him “Don’t come here ever again” when he opened the door.
“I hear the door open. I see this old man, and I’m assuming, ‘Oh, this must be like their grandpa,’ and then he pulls out his gun, and I’m like, whoa!” Yarl told ABC News.
“So I back up. He points it at me. So I kind of, like, brace and I turn my head. I’m thinking there’s no way he’s actually going to shoot, right? The door [isn’t] even open. He’s going to shoot through his glass door and glass is going get everywhere? And then it happened.”
Yarl underwent neurological surgery for the injuries.
The Black youth has gained admission to the Missouri all-state band, nine months after the event. According to the North Kansas City Schools, he was one of four local pupils to receive the esteemed award.
A North Kansas City Schools Facebook post stated that Yarl, a bass clarinetist, was selected as second chair in the all-state band.
“Bravo to Eliza Cockrell and Stephen Kwon from Northtown, and Ralph Yarl and Carter Walters from Staley! They’ve earned a spot in the 2024 Missouri All State Orchestra or Band and will perform at the Missouri Music Educators Association annual conference in January at Margaritaville Lake Resort in Lake of the Ozarks,” the statement read.