MISSION, Kan. (AP) — An 86-year-old man from Missouri has passed away shortly after admitting guilt to a reduced charge in the 2023 shooting of Ralph Yarl, a Black honor student who mistakenly rang the man’s doorbell, prosecutors revealed on Wednesday.
Andrew Lester of Kansas City faced charges of first-degree assault and armed criminal action in the shooting of the then-16-year-old, who survived and is now a freshman at Texas A&M University. Prior to the commencement of his trial, Lester pleaded guilty on Friday to the lesser charge of second-degree assault, which could lead to a maximum of seven years in prison. His sentencing was set for March 7.
Cher Congour, a spokesperson for the Clay County prosecutor’s office, confirmed Lester’s passing. The prosecutor’s office expressed condolences to his family and acknowledged Lester’s admission of guilt in the case.
No details regarding the cause of Lester’s death were provided in the news release. Both the Kansas City police and a spokesperson for the Clay County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The incident stirred nationwide shock and reignited discussions on gun regulations and racial issues in the United States. Yarl had arrived at Lester’s residence on the evening of April 13, 2023, after confusing the location where he was supposed to collect his twin siblings.
Lester’s attorney, Steve Salmon, contended that Lester had acted in self-defense and was frightened by the stranger at his door as he was preparing for bed. Reports state that Lester shot Yarl twice, first in the head and then in the arm.
Yarl testified during a hearing that he had rung the doorbell and waited for a response, which seemed longer than usual. As the door opened, Yarl reached out, thinking he was at his siblings’ friends’ parents’ house. He stated that Lester shot him in the head and warned him not to return. Although the bullet did not penetrate Yarl’s brain, it caused him to fall to the ground. Yarl was treated at the hospital and discharged three days later.
In a statement on Wednesday, Yarl’s family expressed dismay over the loss of the opportunity for full justice due to Lester’s passing. The family had filed a lawsuit against the retired aircraft mechanic, alleging harm due to prejudice.
Lester’s attorney had previously disclosed that his client’s health had deteriorated significantly. Lester had encountered heart problems, a fractured hip, and had been hospitalized. He had also lost a considerable amount of weight, which Salmon attributed to the stress from media scrutiny and subsequent death threats.
At the hearing on Friday, Lester confirmed his poor health when questioned by the judge. A spokesperson for Yarl’s family conveyed that they are striving to cope with the situation.
Despite a court-ordered mental assessment of Lester, the trial proceeded following its completion, and the results were not disclosed publicly.
Ester’s grandson, Daniel Ludwig, failed to promptly respond to a text message from The Associated Press requesting a statement.
