US senators denounce shooting of Ralph Yarl, Black teenager who knocked on wrong door
‘I hope that they’ll prosecute this thing and that there’ll be justice,’ the Missouri Republican tells The Independent
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Republican Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri denounced the shooting of a 16-year-old Black teenaged boy in Kansas City after a suspect in the case turned himself in and was released on Tuesday.
Andrew Lester, 84, is accused of shooting Ralph Yarl in the head and hand after the teenager mistakenly rang the doorbell at the wrong home as he tried to collect his younger twin brothers.
Mr Hawley, a former attorney general, said the shooting was “terrible.”
“And I'm glad if he thinks he's got that facts to charge the case,” he told The Independent. “And I hope that they'll prosecute this thing and that there'll be justice.”
Ralph Yarl shooting suspect Andrew Lester walks free from jail a second time shortly after surrendering
Ralph Yarl shooting - update: Suspect Andrew Lester released from jail again less than two hours after arrest
‘It’s devastating’: White House decries Ralph Yarl shooting as part of ‘epidemic’ of gun violence
Prosecutors set a $200,000 bond for Mr Lester and he was released less than 2 hours after authorities arrested him, but he was required to pay 10 per cent of the bond. Clay County Prosecutor Zachary Thompson said in a press conference on Monday that “there was a racial component to the case.” He announced that he would charge Mr Lester with two felonies: assault in the first degree and armed criminal action.
Mr Hawley said that the shooting of Mr Yarl is part of a larger trend of crime proliferating across the country.
“I think the only way to deal with this is you've got to charge people who commit violent crimes and who use guns and violent crimes,” he said. “You have to charge it.”
Senator Eric Schmitt, Missouri’s junior Republican Senator, offered a more measured response.
“I’ll let the prosecution play itself out,” he told The Independent. “That’s where it’s at and I’m praying for the family.”
But Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey, a Democrat, told The Independent while he was waiting for the facts, he found the situation tragic.
“I want to get all the facts out, what I know already is anguishing,” he told The Independent. “I'm happy that there was an arrest, but it should never have happened. This beautiful child should never be experiencing this kind of horror and trauma.”
Senator Raphael Warnock of Georgia, another Democrat and one of three Black Senators, also expressed condolences.
“Well it's heartbreaking,” he told The Independent. “And it's one more instance of the ways in which Black parents don't know what to tell their children.”
Mr Warnock mentioned how Black parents have “the talk” with their children about police and the fear they might be shot.
“And now we got to add to that, be careful that you don't ring the wrong door bell,” he said.
Graeme Massie contributed to this report
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments