A 16-year-old Black teenager, Ralph Yarl, reportedly shot in the head by 84-year-old White homeowner, Andrew Lester, for ringing the wrong doorbell is receiving a positive prognosis but still faces a long road to recovery, according to his attorneys, CNN reports.
According to an Instagram post Wednesday by an activist and family spokesperson, Shaun King, Ralph could be seen seated on a bench with attorney Lee Merritt in a new photo.
King said, “He’s home and looks great. Ralph is a WALKING MIRACLE with a head of steel. Had the bullet hit his head a fraction of an inch in any other direction he would probably be dead right now.”
Andrew, pleaded not guilty on felony charges of assault in the first degree and armed criminal action on Wednesday.
Part of his bond conditions include $200,000 bail, reporting to police within 24 hours and once a month afterwards. He cannot possess any weapons, must surrender his passport and remain in Missouri, and is ordered not to have any contact with Yarl or his family members.
The judge further adjourned court proceeding until June 1.
Police and Ralph’s family said he was trying to pick up his siblings but went to the wrong address and rang the man’s doorbell.
According to statements in a probable cause document obtained by CNN, homeowner opened fire through a locked glass door without any exchanged words because the old man thought the teen was trying to break in and was “scared to death” due to the boy’s size.
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