A black teenager has issued a scathing statement after an elderly white man who shot him for knocking on the wrong door died before his sentence.
Andrew Lester died on Wednesday at the age of 86, just two days after he pleaded guilty to shooting Ralph Yarl, who mistakenly knocked on Lester’s door in April 2023 when he was just 16.
The retired aircraft mechanic was set to be sentenced on March 7, 2025, and authorities had requested her serve five years for the shooting in Kansas City.
But after prosecutors announced Lester’s death, Yarl and his family released a statement saying his death doesn’t bring them closure in the case.
Their statement said: ‘The news of Andrew Lester’s passing brings a mix of emotions, but it does not bring justice.
‘One of the reasons we pushed for a speedy trial was to ensure the public would see that our society does not condone shooting an unarmed, innocent child simply for ringing the wrong doorbell especially when that child was targeted because of the color of his skin
‘For nearly two years, Andrew Lester never apologized. Instead, he and his attorney used every legal maneuver possible to delay accountability.
‘Now, another Black child harmed by prejudice will never see the man who shot him face the full weight of the justice system.’
Lester, seen here earlier this week in court, died on Wednesday at the age of 86 before he was sentenced
Yarl had knocked on the door of Lester’s home when he was immediately shot in the head by Lester
The statement added: ‘While Lester finally admitted guilt, it came at the very last moment-after two years of stalling. That delay leaves our family reeling.
‘Some may see Lester’s passing as a form of consequence for his actions, but the reality remains Ralph Yarl survived, yet justice was never truly served.
‘He has a lifetime ahead to carry the trauma of that night, while the man responsible escaped sentencing.’
Lester’s cause of death was not disclosed. Prosecutors said in a statement that authorities ‘extend our sincere condolences to his family during this difficult time.’
Yarl was shot in the head and arm, and Clay County prosecutor Zachary Thompson said after Lester’s arrest there was ‘a racial component to the case’.
He miraculously survived the shooting despite the severe injuries, and is now a freshman at Texas A&M.
Facing charges of armed criminal action and first-degree assault, Lester’s trial was scheduled to begin in October, but a judge ordered a mental health evaluation and it was postponed. On Friday, he pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of second-degree assault.
The case took on national importance as it came within a week of three other shootings of young black people who made harmless mistakes.
The teen knocked on Lester’s front door as he went to pick up his younger twin brothers, who were a block away at a different property.
Yarl walks to the Clay County Courthouse to attend a hearing for Andrew Lester on Friday, Feb. 14,
Prosecutors said there was a racial motive for the shooting of talented bass clarinet player Ralph Yarl, who played multiple instruments in the Northland Symphony Youth Orchestra
He pulled into the driveway of the home around 10pm on April 13, 2023, rang the doorbell, and was immediately shot in the head.
After he fell to the ground, Lester then shot Yarl in the arm. The teen told police that Lester barked at him: ‘Don’t come around here.’
Yarl picked himself up and went to Lester’s neighbors’ homes for help, but had to knock on three doors before one resident ordered him to lie on the floor with his hands above his head.
‘He ran to three houses before one of the neighbors said, “Put your hands up and lay on the ground,”‘ Yarl’s aunt Dr Faith Spoonmore said at the time.
‘And then he lay on the ground, he passed out before the neighbor called the police for help,’ she claimed.
‘You hear these stories about racism in America and you think wow, how sad is that?
Andrew Lester, a white homeowner who pleaded guilty to shooting black teenager Ralph Yarl days ago, has passed away aged 86
‘But then you have this little bit of hope because you feel like it’s very far away and it would never happen to your family and you. But God, the people in this country are sick.’
Despite his brush with death, Yarl was released from the hospital after only four days, in what family attorney Ben Crump said was a miracle.
Lester’s doorbell had a ‘no solicitors’ sign, while another claimed the property was ‘protected by surveillance cameras.’ Questions were raised after his arrest why he was not charged with attempted murder.
Famous faces picked up the cause, with actresses Viola Davis, Jennifer Hudson and Halle Berry calling for justice for Yarl. Hundreds of protesters also marched outside the home of the elderly shooter.
More than $1.7 million was raised for Yarl and his family as they faced high medical bills following the incident.
A talented teenager, Yarl had received a letter from Yale Undergraduate Admissions Board identifying him as a ‘good candidate’ for the prestigious university.
Ralph was part of his high school’s Technology Student Association and Science Olympia Team, played in the marching, jazz, and competition band, and was one of the top base clarinet players in Missouri.
He was described as a ‘musical genius’ by his peers and his accolades included playing multiple instruments in the Northland Symphony Youth Orchestra.
He was also recognized as a Missouri scholar academy alumnus in 2022.
