Alicia Keys has invited Ralph Yarl, the black teen who was shot twice by a white homeowner for accidentally ringing the wrong doorbell, to attend her tour stop in Kansas. Get those details, plus an update on how Ralph is progressing inside…
Ralph Yarl, the 16-year-old who was shot by a white homeowner after accidentally ringing the wrong doorbell, has been personally invited by Alicia Keys to attend her concert in Kansas this July.
Lee Merritt, the attorney representing the Yarl family, confirmed to TMZ that Alicia extended the invitation to Ralph and expressed her desire to meet him. Additionally, Roc Nation, a management and entertainment company founded by Jay-Z, has also reached out to Ralph’s family to offer their assistance in any way possible. Aww!
The Yarl family has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from people all over the country, and they have established a trust fund for all the donations. Social justice advocate Shaun King reportedly helped the family find a financial planner to assist them with the funds. Ralph’s GoFundMe campaign has raised over $3.4 million, and while there is no specific plan for the money yet, the trust ensures that it will be available for Ralph when he needs it. You can donate here.
Ralph’s mother, Cleo, also received emotional support from Wanda Cooper-Jones, the mother of Ahmaud Arbery, who is also represented by Lee Merritt. Wanda encouraged Cleo to lean on prayer and reminded her that victims like her son hold the power.
As you know, Ahmaud Arbery, 25, was murdered on February 23, 2020 during a racially motivated hate crime while jogging in Satilla Shores, a neighborhood near Brunswick in Glynn County, Georgia. A federal judge sentenced Travis McMichael, 36, to life plus 10 years in prison; and his father Gregory McMichael, 66, to life plus seven years in prison; and William “Roddie” Bryan, 52, to 35 years in prison, for committing federal hate crimes and other offenses in connection with the killing of Ahmaud Arbery.
Meanwhile, Andrew Lester, the 84-year-old homeowner who shot Ralph twice, has been charged with assault in the first degree and armed criminal action. He pleaded not guilty and was released from the Clay County jail after posting bond.
As for Ralph…
After suffering a gunshot wound to his head and another to his right arm (on April 13th), Ralph was discharged from the hospital four days later, which was also the same day that Andrew Lester was charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action. Since then, the 16-year-old has been recuperating at home, and according to his aunt’s social media post, he is showing signs of improvement every day.
Despite experiencing intense headaches, which can sometimes be debilitating, Ralph remains resilient and seldom complains. His aunt reports that he has more good days than bad days and is hopeful that he will soon receive clearance to play the bass clarinet, which he loves.
Fortunately, Ralph has several medical professionals in his family who are taking care of him, and the family has also hired a trauma-informed psychologist and therapist to assist him in his recovery.
Prayers that he continues to get better!
Photo: DFree/Shutterstock/Instagram
