It is a tragic story that is shaking America right now, but it is also the latest shooting in America. At only 16 years old, Ralph Yarl, a black teenager, was seriously wounded by several shots after ringing the wrong doorbell in an apartment in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 13, 2023.
Discover our latest podcast
Since then, many celebrities have spoken out on social media to denounce the event, to mobilize people to shake things up and change gun regulations so that this kind of thing does not happen again. Several famous people have asked their followers to demand action from the prosecutor by giving them the way to reach him.
Ralph Yarl was shot after ringing the wrong doorbell
On Thursday, April 13, 2023, shortly before 10 p.m. in Kansas City, 16-year-old Ralph Paul Yarl went to a friend's house to pick up his twin brothers, but accidentally knocked on the wrong door. The (white) owner of the house opened the door and told him 'Don’t come back around here' before shooting him several times.
The teenager was shot in the head, splitting his skull and leaving him with traumatic brain injury. While he was on the ground, the shooter opened fire a second time and aimed at the boy's right arm. Transferred to the hospital in critical condition, the victim was finally released on Saturday. His aunt, Faith Spoonmore, however, says he will have to go through 'a long road, mentally and emotionally'. She said:
The trauma that he has to endure and survive is unimaginable. He is our miracle. We have heard these types of stories many times, and unfortunately, most black boys are not alive to get another chance.
The shooter, 85-year-old Andrew Lester, was charged on Monday with 'assault in the first degree' and 'armed criminal action.'
Read more:Joe Biden signs gun restriction bill into law, what does this mean?
Celebrities demand justice for Ralph Yarl
This terrible affair has sparked emotion and anger throughout the country. On social media, many celebrities have spoken out. Halle Berry took to Twitter.
My heart completely broke when I learned this precious 16-year-old, who accidentally rang the door of the wrong address in an attempt to pick up his siblings, was shot in the head...
His name is #RalphYarl and I’m sick and tired of this feeling…my heart completely broke when I learned this precious 16-year-old, who accidentally rang the door of the wrong address in an attempt to pick up his siblings, was shot in the head… (1/3) pic.twitter.com/4VaZo7EFVE
— Halle Berry (@halleberry) April 17, 2023
Justin Timberlake also shared Ralph's story on his own account.
Share this story in support of #RalphYarl and his family — and contact Prosecutor Zachary Thompson and demand an immediate arrest and bring the appropriate charges.
#RalphYarl accidentally rang the door of the wrong house while trying to pick up his siblings. For this, a man shot him in the head. Then shot him a 2nd time as he was on the ground. The man is free and the 16-year-old is fighting for his life in the hospital. This can’t be it. pic.twitter.com/pcs8retddo
— Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) April 17, 2023
Viola Davis, Zoe Saldana, director Zach Braff, presenter Chrissy Teigen, actor Taron Egerton, Kerry Washington and plenty of other public figures have also spoken out to denounce the shooting, and demand justice.
View this post on Instagram
To help the family, you can make a donation here.
This article has been translated from Oh!MyMag FR.
Read more:Jacob Blake: Celebrities Are Commenting on the Lastest Act of Police Brutality in the States
Sources used:
NBCNews: What we know about the case of Ralph Yarl, the Black teen shot after ringing the wrong doorbell
CNN: White homeowner accused of shooting Black teen who went to the wrong house in Kansas City will face 2 felony charges, officials announce
