Authorities in Kansas City, Missouri, say the investigation into the shooting by a homeowner of a Black teenager who went to the wrong house to pick up his younger brothers includes questions about whether it was racially motivated.
PUBLISHED 10:54 AM EDT Apr. 17, 2023The investigation into the shooting by a homeowner of Ralph Yarl, a Black teenager who went to the wrong house to pick up his younger brothers, includes questions about whether race played a role, authorities in Kansas City, Missouri, said.
"We understand how frustrating this has been, but we can assure the public that the system is working," Thompson said in a news release. "As with any serious case submitted to our office, we will approach this case in an objective and impartial manner." Yarl, 16, was identified online by relatives. He was shot Thursday night when he drove to a home a few blocks away from his own to pick up his twin younger brothers. He didn't have a phone with him and went to the wrong block, his aunt, Faith Spoonmore, wrote on a GoFundMe page set up to help pay medical bills. By Monday morning, more than $1.1 million had been raised from 29,000 donations.
Graves said investigators also will consider whether the suspect was protected by "Stand Your Ground" laws, which allow for the use of deadly force in self-defense. Missouri is among around 30 states with such laws. "Missouri Republicans' extreme gun laws have established a culture of fear," Democratic House Minority Leader Crystal Quade said in a statement. She said the us-versus-them mentality "makes Missourians less safe and less free, and too often, Black lives suffer the most from this fear-driven, shoot-first culture."
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