A black teenager is fighting for his life after being shot in the head when he rang the wrong doorbell while trying to pick up his siblings.
Ralph Yarl went to the wrong address in Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday evening, police said, and was shot.
The 16-year-old suffered life-threatening injuries from the gunshots and was rushed to a hospital, where he was recovering on Sunday night.
Ralph Yarl has suffered devastating injuries / Facebook
Celebrities Halle Berry and Naomi Campbell have highlighted the shooting, with the Oscar winner calling for "appropriate charges" for the homeowner.
Police say the man who fired the weapon was taken into custody and released after 24 hours. His name has not been released. In the wake of the incident, Ralph Yarl’s family requested $750,000 to help pay for his hospital fees. They have so far raised more than $500,000 of the goal via an online GoFundMe campaign.
Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves said the Clay County prosecutor’s office is prepared to take over the case as the police collect evidence.
“We recognize the frustration this can cause with the entire criminal justice process,” Graves said.
“As soon as the case is complete, it will be presented to the Clay County prosecutors for their review.”
The shooting was officially listed as a case of mistaken identity.
Graves said that forensic evidence and a victim statement would be needed before the case is complete.
Yarl’s aunt, Faith Spoonmore, said the teen had intended to go to a home just one block away.
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said the case was getting “the full attention of the Kansas City Police Department.”
“This is not something that has been dismissed, marginalized, or diminished in any way,” Lucas added.
Halle Berry tweeted: “His name is Ralph Yarl, and I’m sick and tired of this feeling... My heart completely broke when I learned this precious 16-year-old, who accidentally rang the doorbell of the wrong address in an attempt to pick up his siblings, was shot in the head by a man who didn’t want him on his property.
“This innocent child is now fighting for his life." This could be your child. This should not happen. Please do something today! "Join me and please contact Prosecutor Zachary Thompson and demand an immediate arrest and bring the appropriate charges.”
On Instagram, supermodel Naomi Campbell also shared the devastating story with her 14.8 million followers, along with harrowing pictures of Ralph in the hospital.
