A Missouri man, who was charged in the 2023 shooting of Ralph Yarl, has passed away just days after pleading guilty to a lesser charge, prosecutors revealed on Wednesday.
Yarl, a surviving Black honor student at the time, accidentally rang the doorbell of an 86-year-old white man.
Here’s what we know so far: Andrew Lester from Kansas City has been charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action in connection with the shooting incident involving a 16-year-old victim. Thankfully, the teenager survived the ordeal and is currently pursuing their education as a freshman at Texas A&M University.
He pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of second-degree assault, which can result in a maximum of seven years in prison, just before his trial was set to commence. His sentencing was originally scheduled for March 7th.
What remains unknown: The cause of death was not mentioned in the news release. Emails seeking comment from the Kansas City police have not yet been responded to.
“What they’re saying:” Cher Congour, a spokeswoman for the Clay County prosecutor’s office, confirmed that Lester’s attorney had notified them of his passing.
“We have learned of the passing of Andrew Lester and extend our sincere condolences to his family during this difficult time,” the prosecutor’s office said in a news release. “While the legal proceedings have now concluded, we acknowledge that Mr. Lester did take responsibility for his actions by pleading guilty in this case.”
“Now, another Black child harmed by prejudice will never see the man who shot him face the full weight of the justice system. While Lester finally admitted guilt, it came at the very last moment—after two years of stalling. That delay leaves our family reeling,” Yarl’s family said in a written statement Wednesday.
The Associated Press reached out to Lester’s grandson, Daniel Ludwig, for comment, but he has not responded to the text message.
2023 Ralph Yarl shooting
On the night of April 13, 2023, Yarl arrived at Lester’s doorstep after getting confused about the streets where he was meant to collect his twin siblings.
Lester’s attorney, Steve Salmon, said that Lester was acting in self-defense and was startled by the man who knocked on his door as he lay in bed. According to authorities, Lester shot Yarl twice, first in the skull and then in the arm.
Yarl stated at a hearing that he rang the doorbell and then waited for someone to answer for what appeared to be “longer than normal.” As the inside door opened, Yarl reached out to grab the storm door, figuring he was at the home of his brothers’ friends.
He said Lester shot him in the head and warned, “Don’t come here ever again.” Although the bullet did not reach Yarl’s head, its impact knocked him to the ground. Yarl murmured something to Lester before shooting him in the arm. The teen was taken to the hospital and then released three days later.
The retired aircraft mechanic faced a lawsuit from his family, who revealed that the shooting had a significant emotional impact on them.
According to Salmon, Lester’s physical and mental state had declined over the past year. He revealed that Lester had been dealing with heart problems, a broken hip, and multiple hospitalizations. Additionally, Lester had experienced a significant weight loss of 50 pounds (23 kilograms), which Salmon attributed to the immense stress caused by constant media attention and the subsequent death threats he had received.
During the hearing on Friday, the judge inquired about Lester’s health. In response, Lester confirmed that he was indeed in poor health.
The judge had previously ordered a mental evaluation of Lester, but after its completion, the trial was allowed to proceed. However, the results of the evaluation were not made public.