KANSAS CITY, Mo. — An 86-year-old man from Kansas City is set to plead guilty this Friday in relation to the shooting of Ralph Yarl, a Black honor student, who mistakenly rang his doorbell in 2023, according to sources familiar with the situation.
Andrew Lester was originally scheduled to face trial next week on charges including first-degree assault and armed criminal action for the incident involving the then-16-year-old, who miraculously survived and has since completed high school.
On Thursday, prosecutors announced that Lester would be present in court the following day, but did not elaborate on the circumstances or provide further details. Two individuals close to the case, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the legal proceedings, disclosed that Lester intends to enter a guilty plea. Reports indicate he may plead to a reduced charge of second-degree assault.
Yarl had mistakenly shown up at Lester’s home after not correctly remembering where to pick up his twin siblings.
Lester’s attorney, Steve Salmon, has consistently maintained that his client acted in self-defense, claiming he was frightened by the unexpected visitor at his door as he was preparing for the night. Salmon did not respond to a phone inquiry on Thursday.
The case drew national attention and sparked discussions across the country regarding issues of gun violence and racial dynamics in the United States.
During a previous court hearing, Yarl recounted how he rang the doorbell and waited an extended period for a response. When the inner door opened, he reached for the storm door, presuming he was interacting with the parents of his brothers’ friends.
Yarl testified that Lester, who is white, shot him in the head while declaring, “Don’t come here ever again.” Though the bullet did not penetrate Yarl’s brain, the force of the gunfire caused him to fall. Subsequently, he was shot again in the arm before being transported to the hospital, where he was released after three days.
The emotional impact of the incident has weighed heavily on his family, who have since filed a lawsuit against Lester, a retired aircraft mechanic.
As Lester’s trial drew closer, the court restricted access to online records related to the case to ensure potential jurors could not access any public documents. A spokesperson from the prosecutor’s office confirmed that there have been no new updates regarding the case this month.
Salmon indicated last year that Lester’s health has significantly declined, citing heart issues, a broken hip, and several hospitalizations. He has reportedly lost 50 pounds, which Salmon attributes to the stress resulting from intense media scrutiny and threats directed at Lester.
A judge had previously mandated a mental health assessment for Lester, permitting the trial to move forward once the evaluation was completed, though the findings from that assessment have not been made public.
