Andrew Lester, the white Missouri homeowner who pleaded guilty to shooting black teenager Ralph Yarl after he mistakenly knocked on his door, has died at the age of 86. Lester passed away on Wednesday, just days after entering his guilty plea. He was due to be sentenced on March 7, 2025, and prosecutors had requested a five-year prison term.
The shooting occurred on April 13, 2023, in Kansas City. Yarl, then 16, went to the wrong address while trying to pick up his younger twin brothers. He rang Lester's doorbell around 10pm and was immediately shot in the head. After falling to the ground, Lester shot him again in the arm. Yarl survived and was hospitalised for four days.
Lester's cause of death has not been disclosed. In a statement, prosecutors expressed condolences to his family, noting that he had taken responsibility for his actions by pleading guilty. They added that their thoughts remain with both families as they continue to heal.
The case sparked national outrage, with many highlighting racial motives. Clay County Prosecutor Zachary Thompson stated there was a racial component to the shooting. Yarl, a talented bass clarinet player, had received a letter from Yale identifying him as a good candidate for the university. A GoFundMe campaign raised over $1.7 million for his medical bills.
