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An 85-year-old Kansas City homeowner faces felony charges in the shooting of Ralph Yarl, a Black teenager who mistakenly went to his home.
On Monday (April 17), Andrew D. Lester, who is white, was charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action for allegedly shooting Yarl in the head after the teen went to the wrong address to pick up his siblings, The Hill reports.
Following the shooting, Yarl, 16, was taken to the hospital, where he has been in critical condition since Thursday (April 13). He has since been released and is now at home recovering with his family, according to The Hill.
According to Clay County Prosecutor Zachary Thompson, race wasn't a factor in Yarl's shooting.
“We understand how frustrating this has been, but I can assure you the criminal justice system is working and will continue to work,” Thompson said at a news conference, per USA Today.
Thompson said the suspected shooter isn't currently in custody, but an arrest warrant has been issued.
Yarl's shooting sparked protests in Kansas City and social media outrage.
Ben Crump, one of the family's attorneys, told CNN that the shooting was a case of racial profiling.
"It is inescapable not to observe the racial dynamics here," Crump said.
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