84-year-old Andrew Lester has pleaded not guilty to shooting teenager Ralph Yarl.
Lester appeared in court yesterday after handing himself over to the police.
Lester allegedly shot the teenager twice, once in the arm and then in the head.
The teenager was rushed to hospital following the shooting on Thursday, April 13th.
Yarl, who is only 16 years old, is now in a stable condition at home.
Police believe Lester reportedly shot the teenager after he walked up to Lester’s house on 115th Street in Kansas City.
Yarl was collecting his younger siblings from a property on 115th Terrace but got the addresses mixed up.
Lester turned himself in on Tuesday, April 18th. He has been charged with first-degree assault. He has also been charged with armed criminal action.
Lester has pleaded not guilty to both charges.
He was released on $200,000 bail.
The 84-year-old has relinquished his weapons. He has also agreed not to contact Ralph or his family. The pensioner’s phone will also be monitored.
If convicted, Lester could face life in prison.
Ban assault weapons – it’s beyond time.
— President Biden (@POTUS) April 19, 2023
Ralph Yarl is now in stable condition.
Yarl miraculously survived the shooting last Thursday and has now returned home from hospital.
A representative for the boy’s family told CNN that he is recovering at home.
He said the teenager is struggling following the ordeal. However, Ralph’s family is beyond relieved he survived the shooting.
“He’s not out of the woods yet, but the great thing is, (medical officials) said he was stable enough to go to his home,” they added.
