Global Courant 2023-04-17 10:31:32
The family of a black teen who was shot last week after ringing the wrong door last week, apparently mistaking the residence for one a block away, has hired a pair of nationally prominent civil rights lawyers.
Lee Merritt and Benjamin Crump announced on Sunday that they were handling the case and promptly criticized authorities in Kansas City, Missouri, for releasing the gunman, who they said is a white man.
The 16-year-old, whose name was not released by authorities, is said to be stable in a hospital after being shot just before 10 p.m. on Thursday, according to police and lawyers.
“There is no excuse for the release of this armed and dangerous suspect,” Merritt and Lee said in a joint statement.
Kansas City police said the child mistook a residence in the 1100 block of Northeast 115th Street for the location of his siblings, who were in a home in the 1100 block of Northeast 115th Terrace, according to NBC affiliate KSHB from Kansas City.
The location of the shooting was targeted by protesters on Sunday as news of the shooting began to reach a national audience via social media.
Journalist and justice reform advocate Shaun King, post op Instagramsaid he took on the victim’s case.
“This is NOT a stand your ground case,” King said of the legal genre that allows for a self-defense argument in cases where gunmen are defending life and property.
Missouri stand your constitution says a would-be shooter defending a life or property need not retreat before taking violent action.
Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves explained Sunday afternoon why the gunman was released and promised to thoroughly investigate the violence.
The resident, whose name has not been released, was taken into custody following the shooting and held for 24 hours, the maximum for a crime suspect until charges are filed.
A firearm was taken as evidence, Graves said.
She said the vast majority of crime suspects are released after 24 hours, but many are re-arrested once enough evidence is gathered to press charges.
In this case, the chief said detectives, working “as quickly and thoroughly as possible”, will work to build a solid foundation for prosecution.
“Once the case is finalized, it will be submitted to the Clay County Prosecutor for review,” the chief said.
She also said she has been in contact with the teen’s family and is listening to the concerns of the black community.
