Andrew Lester is facing criminal charges for the shooting of Ralph Yarl, a 16-year-old high school student that was shot after knocking on the door of the wrong residence whilst picking up his younger siblings.
After public outcry, the charges were implemented by Clay County prosecutor Zachary Thompson on Monday (April 18). Lester, 84, has been charged with two felonies, including first-degree assault and armed criminal action, where he faces a minimum of three years and a maximum of life in prison.
A warrant was issued, along with a $200,000 bond. On Tuesday, Lester surrendered at the Clay County Detention Center and bonded out of jail, shortly after being taken into custody.
Thompson admits that there was a “racial component” surrounding the shooting incident. However, there’s also probable cause due to Lester stating that he retrieved his firearm before answering the door and was concerned for Yarl once he realized the situation.
Lester is claiming that he shot Yarl on the premise of self-defense because he was “scared to death,” according to court documents. The night of the incident, which occurred on Thursday, April 13, Yarl approached the front door of Lester’s home to pick up his two younger brothers not realizing he was at the wrong address.
Lester was preparing for bed when he heard his doorbell ring. He retrieved his Smith and Wesson .32 caliber revolver and upon seeing what he thought was a “6 feet tall” man, he assumed someone was breaking in, opened the door and fired a shot through the exterior glass door. He followed up with a second shot. Lester called the police as the teen struggled to find help amongst neighboring houses.
Yarl’s account of the incident slightly differs from Lester’s. Yarl told police authorities that he waited for some time for someone to open the door. Once the door was opened, he saw a man holding a weapon and was immediately shot in the head.
Yarl fell to the ground and the homeowner stood over him and shot him in the arm as he said, “Don’t come around here.” Lester denies that any words were exchanged.
