Ralph Yarl, the 16-year-old who was shot twice after mistakenly going to the wrong house to collect his siblings, is a “walking miracle,” according to family members and attorneys. The 84-year-old shooter pleaded not guilty and was released on a $200,000 bail. Also, two teen brothers and another man have been arrested and charged with murder following the “Sweet 16” party shooting in Alabama. Updates inside…
After mistakenly going to the wrong house to pick up his siblings, 16-year-old Ralph Yarl was shot once in the head and once in the arm last week. However, his family members and attorneys recently provided a heartening update on his condition, calling his progress “a true miracle.”
Attorneys for Ralph shared a “good news” update on the teen’s condition on social media.
“He’s home and looks great. Ralph is a WALKING MIRACLE with a head of steel,” said activist Shaun King in an Instagram post shared by Attorney Lee Merritt.
The post detailed the extent of Ralph’s injuries, saying he suffered a traumatic brain injury, which he is still recovering from.
”Had the bullet hit his head a fraction of an inch in any other direction he would probably be dead right now,” Shaun wrote.
He added that the 16-year-old clarinetist is expected to make a full recovery, but it will take some time.
Ralph is presently working with a psychologist and therapist who specialize in trauma care to help him with the process of coming to terms with the incident.
Yarl’s aunt, Dr. Faith Spoonmore, told Shaun, “Ralph is currently at home with the family. He can ambulate and communicate. A true miracle considering what he survived.”
She added that each day is different and that Ralph still has a long road ahead.
The post also provided more details on the call Ralph had with President Joe Biden, saying POTUS and the family spoke for nearly an hour.
“It was actually a beautiful, thoughtful, meaningful, compassionate conversation,” the post said.
We are SO glad this young man is healing and he hope justice is served.
As for the shooter…
Andrew Lester, the 84-year-old white man who shot Ralph, pleaded NOT guilty on Wednesday to the charges of assault in the first degree and armed criminal action.
Although some civil rights leaders pushed for a hate crime charge, Clay County Prosecuting Attorney Zachary Thompson stated that first-degree assault, which carries a longer sentence of up to life imprisonment, is a more serious crime.
The shooter surrendered to the authorities on Tuesday and was released on $200,000 bail the same day. During his brief appearance in the circuit court of Clay County, Missouri, Lester was surrounded by four guards, wore a blue and tan jacket with matching pants, used a cane, and limped slowly to the front of the courtroom.
The judge ordered him to surrender his passport, refrain from owning a firearm, and have no contact with Ralph.
The elderly suspect said he was “scared to death” before opening fire, according to a probable cause statement.
***This is a key section from the PC Affidavit.***
This comes directly after Lester said he just laid down in bed when he heard the doorbell ring.@kmbc pic.twitter.com/gOf1AAL078
— Matt Flener KMBC (@MattFlenerKMBC) April 17, 2023
”Lester stated that it was the last thing he wanted to do, but he was ‘scared to death’ due to the male’s size” and his ability to in defend himself at his age,” the statement added. “He believed he was protecting himself from a physical confrontation and could not take the chance of the male coming in.”
By the way, Ralph is 5 feet, 8 inches and weighs 140 pounds. He told police that he pressed the doorbell and waited outside and that he never pulled on the door.
Andrew Lester is currently under bond supervision, and a date for a preliminary hearing has not been scheduled yet. In the event of a conviction, the elderly shooter could receive a maximum sentence of life imprisonment for the assault charge and three to fifteen years for the gun charge.
In another update…
It was supposed to be a celebration, a weekend Sweet 16 for a teenage girl surrounded by loved ones. But tragedy struck when gunfire broke out, leaving four dead and 32 injured.
In a major development, authorities announced on Wednesday that two teenage brothers had been arrested in connection with the Dadeville, AL shooting.
The suspects, 16-year-old Travis McCullough and 17-year-old Ty Reik McCullough from Tuskegee, are being charged as adults with reckless murder. The motive for the attack and the weapons used remain unclear at this point, and the FBI has confirmed that the two suspects are brothers.
It’s unclear when they will appear before a judge or if they have legal representation yet.
One of the suspects is a standout football player at Booker T. Washington High School in Tuskegee and was set to begin his senior year in the fall. His coach, Lawrence O’Neal, spoke out in defense of his player and urged the public to reserve judgment until more information comes to light.
”I’m not saying they are victims. But what I am saying is the picture that’s being painted now, that they just showed up to shoot up the party, is not the reality of the situation,” O’Neal said.
BREAKING: 3rd arrest in the #Dadeville shooting
ALEA arrested 20 yr old Wilson Lamar Hill Jr this afternoon in Auburn, he also faces 4 counts of reckless murder
This is Hill, and 17 yr old Tyreese McCullough, arrested yesterday along with 16 yr old Travis McCullough pic.twitter.com/sFijxC7Bsq— Jonathan Hardison (@FOX6Hardison) April 19, 2023
A third man was also arrested in connection with the tragic shooting.
20-year-old Wilson LaMar Hill Jr. is facing four counts of reckless murder for his alleged involvement in the attack. The arrest came after an intense investigation led by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, but few details have been released at this time.
The four victims have been identified as Shaunkivia “Keke” Smith, 17; Marsiah “Siah” Collins, 19; Corbin Holston, 23; and Philstavious “Phil” Dowdell, 18. Four other individuals remain hospitalized in critical condition. The incident took place at a dance studio in Dadeville, located about 25 miles northwest of Auburn University.
Condolences for the Loved Ones of those who lost their lives in the Dadeville, Alabama mass shooting.
Prayers for the healing and recovery of all of the other victims. #LordHaveMercy. pic.twitter.com/gPD7ZapOSE— EncourageOneAnother (@EncouragedOne) April 19, 2023
Marsiah’s father took to social media where he broke down about losing his only son to senseless gun violence:
The father of one of the victims you MAGA conservatives try to portray as a parentless “thug”. He was someone CHILD and to see people try to paint a narrative that these kids deserved to be murdered because they look like “thugs” is disgusting. #Dadeville #shooting pic.twitter.com/kwOdowtOtN
— The Good Sis (@sis_good) April 17, 2023
Prosecutors and police have not provided further details on the case, but this arrest brings hope that justice will be served for the victims and their families.
As the investigation unfolds, the community is left grappling with the devastating loss of life and injuries, while trying to make sense of the events that transpired that tragic night.
Photo: Shaun King’s IG/AP
