The white homeowner who shot a Black teenager in Kansas City after he went to the wrong house has been charged, according to USA Today.
Andrew Lester, 85, was charged with two felonies, first-degree assault and armed criminal action for shooting 16-year-old Ralph Yarl last Thursday.
Yarl was going to pick up his younger brothers when he went to the wrong address and rang the doorbell, according to a GoFundMe created by his aunt Faith Spoonmore.
Spoonmore said the homeowner shot her nephew in the head and then shot him again after the teenager fell to the ground.
Yarl went to three different houses seeking help before someone finally agreed to assist him, according to Spoonmore.
Yarl suffered life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital where he is recovering.
The homeowner was taken into custody but was released 24 hours later. In Missouri, authorities are required to either charge someone who is under investigation for a felony within 24 hours or release them.
Clay County prosecutor Zachary Thompson said at a news conference that race was not a factor in the shooting.
“We understand how frustrating this has been but I can assure the criminal justice system is working and will continue to work,” Thompson said.