The police has released a new mugshot of Andrew Lester, the 84-year-old man accused of shooting 16-year-old black teenager, Ralph Yarl.
Lester turned himself in to authorities almost 20 hours after Kansas City prosecutors pressed felony charges against him for shooting the teenager twice on the head.
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office announced that the 84-year-old had “surrendered” at a detention centre just before 2.30pm Tuesday – more than 20 hours after charges were filed.
A mugshot has been released following Andrew Lester’s arrest.
The photo was taken on Tuesday afternoon when he was booked into a Clay County detention centre after surrendering.
Prosecutors allege that the white homeowner twice shot 16-year-old Ralph, who is recovering at home after being released from the hospital.
Mr. Lester told investigators that he had just lain down when the doorbell rang, he picked up a .32 pistol and opened the interior door of his house.
He told Police that he saw a black male pulling on the exterior door and thought he was trying to break into the property.
He claimed he was “scared to death” at the boy’s size and feared he was unable to defend himself given his elderly age, the documents state.
Several celebrities including Viola Davis, Halle Berry and Chrissy Teigen have joined in the outrage, speaking out about the case on social media.
Hally Berry posted Ralph’s image on Twitter and urged her Twitter followers to contact the local prosecutor to urge him to bring charges against the homeowner.
“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,” she wrote.
“This could be your child. This should NOT happen. Please do something today! Join me and please contact Prosecutor Zachary Thompson and demand an immediate arrest and bring the appropriate charges: Building: James S. Rooney Justice Center Address: 11 South Water Street, Liberty, Missouri 64068 Phone: 816-736-8300 Fax: 816-736- 8301 Email: prosecutor@claycopa.com”
Fellow Black actor Viola Davis also took to Instagram to demand action.
“ALL HANDS ON DECK!!” she wrote, directing people to the posts of civil rights attorneys Ben Crump and Lee Merritt.
Actor Kerry Washington wrote on Twitter: “Instead of waiting around for #LoveIsBlind…make a phone call. For #RalphYarl. Demand that Prosecutor Zachary Thompson make an arrest and bring the appropriate charges. 816-736-8300.”
Supermodel Naomi Campbell, actor Amy Schumer and model and TV personality Chrissy Teigen also shared Instagram posts about the case as they all rallied behind the family of the 16-year-old boy now fighting his injuries in hospital.
Meanwhile, a GoFundMe to help Ralph with medical costs has now topped $2.8m.
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden released a photo of himself on the phone with Ralph Yarl on Tuesday afternoon.
“Last night, I had a chance to call Ralph Yarl and his family,” he wrote in the caption of a tweet.
“No parent should have to worry that their kid will be shot after ringing the wrong doorbell.
“We’ve got to keep up the fight against gun violence. And Ralph, we’ll see you in the Oval once you feel better.”
Ralph Yarl’s family is currently in a meeting with Clay County Prosecutor Zach Thompson.
The family’s attorney, Lee Merritt, announced the meeting following the first interview with Ralph’s mother earlier on Tuesday.
