On April 13, 2023, Ralph Yarl, a 16-year-old high school junior in Kansas City, Missouri, was shot in the head by a homeowner. He had mistakenly gone to the wrong house to pick up his siblings. Ralph’s parents had given him an address on 115th Terrace. However, he accidentally went to a home on 115th Street, where he was shot by the homeowner.
Ralph was rushed to the hospital and is currently in stable condition. The incident has caused outrage and demands for justice from civil rights attorneys, protesters, and celebrities.
Civil rights attorneys S. Lee Merritt and Benjamin Crump have been retained by Ralph’s family. They released a joint statement calling for the man responsible to be arrested. They requested that the men be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Also, they criticized the decision to release the homeowner pending further investigation. They stated that –
“the shooter should be held accountable for his actions immediately and justice should not be delayed.”
The attorneys also mentioned that they are conducting their own investigation into the incident and are calling for anyone with information to come forward.
The shooting has also prompted protests in Kansas City, with demonstrators gathering outside the home where Ralph was shot. Protesters chanted “Justice for Ralph” and “Black Lives Matter,” and held signs reading “Ringing a doorbell is not a crime.” The incident has reignited conversations on racial inequality and police brutality. Many are pointing out that the shooter may have been motivated by racial bias.
The incident has garnered national attention, with many celebrities taking to social media to demand justice for Ralph. Singer and actress Janelle Monae posted a message on Instagram calling for “an end to the senseless violence against Black people,” while actor and comedian Kevin Hart tweeted, “Another young Black life almost taken by senseless violence. We must do better.”
The incident highlights the ongoing issue of racial inequality in the United States and the deadly consequences it can have. It is a reminder of the work that still needs to be done to ensure that everyone, regardless of their race or ethnicity, is treated with dignity and respect. It is a call to action for all of us to stand up against racism and injustice, and to demand accountability for those who perpetrate it.
