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Man who shot teenager Ralph Yarl for ringing wrong doorbell dies after pleading guilty

Home> News> US News

Published 10:41 20 Feb 2025 GMT

Man who shot teenager Ralph Yarl for ringing wrong doorbell dies after pleading guilty

86-year-old pleaded Andrew Lester guilty to second-degree assault last week

Niamh Shackleton

Niamh Shackleton

Featured Image Credit: YouTube/Fox 4

Topics: US News, News

Niamh Shackleton
Niamh Shackleton

Niamh Shackleton is an experienced journalist for UNILAD, specialising in topics including mental health and showbiz, as well as anything Henry Cavill and cat related. She has previously worked for OK! Magazine, Caters and Kennedy.

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@niamhshackleton

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Andrew Lester, the man responsible for shooting teenager Ralph Yarl for ringing his doorbell, has died.

On April 13, 2023, Yarl - who was 16 at the time - rang the doorbell on Lester's Kansas City home after mixing up the property for another.

Yarl was picking up his twin brothers from a friend's house and accidentally went to the wrong home. And the small mistake almost ended up fatal for Yarl, as Lester proceeded to shoot him in the head.

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Reportedly, Lester thought the young boy was trying to break into his house.

By means of a miracle, the teenager survived the ordeal despite ending up with life-threatening injuries, and was released from hospital just a few days later.

Ralph Yarl was 16-years-old when he was shot in the head (GoFundMe)
Ralph Yarl was 16-years-old when he was shot in the head (GoFundMe)

A now-closed GoFundMe page was created for Yarl at the time to hep fund his recovery and his future, where a staggering $3.4 million was raised.

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Charges went on to be filed against Lester, who initially pleaded not-guilty and was released of $200,000 bond, ABC News reports.

But last Friday (February 14), Lester entered a guilty plea for felony assault in the second degree — a felony that comes with the possibility of seven years behind bars.

He was due to be sentenced on March 7, but Lester has since died.

Clay County Prosecuting Attorney Zachary Thompson has spoken out since the news of the 86-year-old's death.

"We have learned of the passing of Andrew Lester and extend our sincere condolences to his family during this difficult time," he said.

"While the legal proceedings have now concluded, we acknowledge that Mr. Lester did take responsibility for his actions by pleading guilty in this case. Our thoughts remain with both families affected by this tragic incident as they continue their healing process."

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Yarl's family have also addressed the news of Lester's passing and said that his death 'brings a mix of emotions'.

The family went on to tell ABC News: "We remain committed to seeking a world where no child fears for their life because of their race, and no family has to endure what we have. Ralph’s story is far from over, and neither is our fight for justice."

Andrew Lester has died at the age of 86 (Kansas City Police Department)
Andrew Lester has died at the age of 86 (Kansas City Police Department)

Yarl's shooting caused a lot of controversy at the time.

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While Lester was brought in for questioning by police, he went on to be released without charge. This sparked protests across Kansas City, which drew support from celebrities like Halle Berry, Jennifer Hudson, and Kerry Washington, says BBC News.

Ultimately an arrest warrant went on to be issued and Lester turned himself in.

  • Black teenager Ralph Yarl released from hospital four days after being shot in head by homeowner for ringing wrong doorbell
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  • Black teenager, 16, shot in head by homeowner after ringing doorbell at wrong house
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