Black teenager earns spot on all-state band despite being shot in head in April
Date
1/10/2024 2:53:27 AM
(MENAFN) A Black teenager, Ralph Yarl, who was shot in the head by a white homeowner in Missouri after mistakenly ringing the wrong doorbell, has achieved a noteworthy accomplishment. Despite the challenging circumstances, Yarl has earned a spot in the all-state band.
Recently, North Kansas City Schools shared on facebook that Ralph Yarl was one of four students in the region to receive this prestigious recognition. He plays the bass clarinet and was designated as the second chair in the all-state band, as mentioned in the post.
“Bravo to Eliza Cockrell and Stephen Kwon from Northtown, and Ralph Yarl and Carter Walters from Staley! They’ve earned a spot in the 2024 Missouri All State Orchestra or Band and will perform at the Missouri Music Educators Association annual conference in January at Margaritaville Lake Resort in Lake of the Ozarks,” the post said.
As of Tuesday night, Yarl's family could not be reached for comment.
The incident occurred when Yarl, who was 16 at the time, was attempting to pick up his brothers from a friend's home on the night of April 13. However, he went to the wrong address in Kansas City, and the homeowner, Andrew Lester, shot him through the door, according to officials.
Yarl was supposed to pick up his brothers from a residence on Northeast 115th Terrace but mistakenly went to Northeast 115th Street, which was just a block away. Yarl reported that his alleged attacker spoke only a few words to him.
“He only said five words: ‘Don’t come here ever again,’” Yarl recounted the incident in an interview with another news agency back in June.
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