Cousins! A Kansas family alongside local community members are demanding justice following the brutal attack of a 16 year old boy at the hands of a white man for mistakenly ringing the door bell of the wrong home as he attempted to pick up his siblings!
16 year old Ralph Yarl was tragically shot in the head two times outside of a Northland located home on Thursday evening around 10 PM as he attempted to pick up his younger brothers. According to reports from Fox 4 news the young teen had been picking up his siblings at a house noted as being on North east 115th Terrace but he had mistakenly rang the bell for a house on North East 115th street instead.
“This was not an ‘error’; this was a hate crime. You don’t shoot a child in the head because he rang your doorbell. The fact that the police said it was an ‘error’ is why America is the way it is,” said Ralph’s aunt Dr. Faith Spoonmore.
Local officials arrived on the scene to discover Ralph on the floor suffering from life threatening injuries. He was taken to a nearby hospital where he is currently recovering. The incident is being ruled as, “Mistaken identity’ reports the police.
The identified shooter was taken to the police department and was shortly released soon after. The department has declared within a forwarded statement that the gunman was released pending an ongoing investigation. His name has not yet been released to the public.
“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… “ said Dr. Spoonmore. “and the individual is free to go about his day as if he did a great deed. While my nephew Ralph Yarl is a great kid, an intelligent kid, a black boy is left with so many broken pieces.”
It is expected for the case to be forwarded to the prosecutor’s office to determine whether or not charges are warranted.
According to Kansas City Defender News, civil rights lawyer Lee Merrit known for previously representing the families of Ahmaud Arbery and Cameron Lamb, has been confirmed as taken on the case. Social activist Shaun King and Civil Rights attorney Ben Crump are also assisting with the case.
As the story continues to pick up major traction on social media and countless other outlets celebrities have also began to pour in as they issue support in demanding justice for Ralph and his family.
“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,” tweeted academy award wining actress Halle Berry.
A GoFundMe account has been established to assist Ralph’s family with medical bills as he recovers.
Cousins, please stick with us for further details as this story is still developing and please continue to keep young Ralph in your prayers.