A weekend protest and calls for the shooter’s arrest followed the shooting of a Black kid who rang the incorrect doorbell after mistaking the residence for one a block away.
After announcing their acceptance of the case on Sunday, nationally renowned civil rights lawyers Lee Merritt and Ben Crump immediately lambasted Kansas City, Missouri, officials for releasing the gunman, who they claimed is a white guy.
Ralph Paul Yarl, 16, who was shot just before 10 p.m. on Thursday, was said to be in stable condition at a hospital, according to police and the teenager’s attorneys.
Yarl, a high school junior, was shot twice, struck in the head and arm, Merritt and Crump said in a joint statement.
“There can be no excuse for the release of this armed and dangerous suspect,” the lawyers said.
According to NBC station KSHB of Kansas City, police in Kansas City stated the child thought his siblings were at a house in the 1100 block of Northeast 115th Terrace when in fact they were in a house in the 1100 block of Northeast 115th Street.
As news of the shooting spread around the country via social media on Sunday, protesters converged on the area.
Protesters marched toward the residence where the shooting took place, chanting “What do we want? Justice! When do we want it? Now!”
Yarl’s aunt, Faith Spoonmore, said Sunday at the protest: “My nephew is alive and he is healing. It is not the story that that individual intended for us to tell. We are telling a story that is different from the stories that you normally hear,” KSHB reported.
According to Missouri’s stand-your-ground law, a potential shooter who needs to protect people or property is not required to flee before using force.
Police Chief Stacey Graves gave an explanation for the shooter’s release and promised a thorough investigation.
The resident, whose identity was withheld, was apprehended and detained for the maximum period of time for a suspect in a felony—24 hours—until charges were filed.
A firearm was taken as evidence, Graves said.
She said that a vast majority of felony suspects are released after 24 hours but that many are re-arrested once enough evidence is gathered to trigger charges.
In this case, Graves said, detectives, working “as expeditiously and as thoroughly as we can,” will work to build a solid foundation for prosecution.
“As soon as the case is complete, it will be presented to the Clay County prosecutor for their review,” she said.
“I want everyone to know that I am listening and I understand the concern we are receiving from the community,” she added.
She also said she has been in touch with the teen’s family and is listening to the concerns of the Black community.
Mayor Quinton Lucas, who attended the news conference, said there’s a “thorough” investigation underway now.
“We will make sure we do all we can to be fair, to make sure we’re as expeditious as possible and more than anything to make sure that everyone, no matter their background, knows that justice can be obtained here in Kansas City,” he said.
Lucas also said he’s been in touch with the victim’s family.
“My heart goes out to the victim of this shooting, the victim’s family, my heart goes out to everyone impacted,” he said.